Amish Recipes to Recreate at Home

One of the many things that makes Lancaster County so unique is the deep roots in the Amish Culture. From locally owned shops to working farms, the Amish Community has a meaningful influence on the make up of Lancaster. The dozens of farms across the county provide the freshest ingredients for our restaurants and your refrigerator! In the summer months, you can pick up locally grown sweet corn and tomatoes, in the fall you can find farm fresh kale and pumpkins. Check our some of our farmers markets and roadside stands to find out where to pick up local produce.

There are tons of ways to experience the Amish in Lancaster County. One of the best ways to immerse in any culture is to try their food! Check out a few Amish recipes that are simple and easy to recreate at home, while delicious and sure to please all who partake.

Broccoli Salad

This may not sound like something that children or picky eaters will enjoy. But combined with bacon, cheese, and a creamy dressing, you get a rich salad that everyone will love. It’s very easy to make as well.

Ingredients

1 head chopped broccoli
1 head chopped cauliflower
1 lb. fried and crumbled bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
½ cup sugar
½ tsp salt

Directions

1. Put the chopped broccoli and cauliflower in a large bowl.

2. Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and salt in a different bowl.

3. Pour the mixture onto the broccoli and cauliflower. Toss them well. Then mix in some bacon and cheese, but leave a small amount to sprinkle on later.

4. Chill the salad until it’s time to serve. Sprinkle the rest of the bacon and cheese then enjoy!

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This is a common dish on Amish farms, but it makes for a hearty supper. Amish chicken and rice casserole contains chicken, rice, and a wonderful cheese sauce that’s amazing enough on its own. But you can pair it with some corn on the cob or fresh fruit as well.

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked rice (any kind)
½ cup melted butter
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup flour
2 teaspoons chicken flavoring
½ teaspoon garlic powder
5 cups of boneless chicken
12 oz. Velveeta cheese
2 cups sour cream
1 package of crushed Ritz crackers

Directions

1. Cook the rice in a rice cooker. Rice cooker reviews state how modern rice cookers can easily cook any grain with just a push of a button. So you can use white rice or brown rice, among others, for this dish.

2. Mix ¼ butter, milk, salt, pepper, flour, and chicken flavoring and cook until they’re thickened.

3. Put the cooked rice into a 9x13 greased pan. Pour the sauce over the rice. Then put cooked chicken on top of sauce.

4. Melt the Velveeta cheese a little and stir in sour cream before putting on top of the chicken.

5. Stir the remaining ¼ melted butter, crush Ritz crackers and pour that on top of the sour cream and cheese.

6. Bake at 350°F until heated through, which is about 30 mins. Then enjoy!

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

This is a budget-friendly and easy dish to make. The combination of ground beef and cabbage gives you a hearty and tasty meal. What’s great is that it’s just made in one pan, which makes cleaning up easy as well.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1 chopped onion
1 chopped cabbage head
1 tbsp butter
1 minced garlic clove
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce (can also be pasta sauce)
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Cook ground beef until no longer pink in a large pan. Nonstick frying pans let you easily release foods so you don’t worry about burning them.

2. Add onion and continue cooking until translucent.

3. You can drain the extra fat, or choose to leave it and just not use the butter. Add garlic and continue cooking for another minute.

4. Stir butter, cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and pepper into the pan.

5. Cover and let simmer for about 20 - 30 minutes until the cabbage is soft.

Written by Victoria Tidwell for discoverlancaster.com