[.ca] Mennonite Country-Style Recipes and Kitchen Secrets: The ... (ISBN 0836136977)

Not what I expected:
When I bought this cookbook, I was hoping for old-fashioned traditional Mennonite recipies. I wanted recipies that called for natural ingredents, not cans of cream of muchroom soup. This is more along the lines of something your grandmother's church group would have put together for a fundraiser back in the 60's. For what it is, it's very thorough; it just is not what I wanted.

Love this book:
I first checked the book out in the Library and had to find it for my own. This is my second purchase of this book. Gave one to a Missionary in Europe. Not everything is "from scratch" but it is good country cooking. Desserts and Sweets are wonderful. My family has only rejected one recipe in the past 12 months and I have cooked many. Sweet potatoes biscuits are a morning favorite. Some are quick and easy others require all day preparations.

Disappointed..:
I made a casserole that looked pretty tasty before it went in the oven. When it came out, it didn't turn out so well. It was also very high in calories. I thought all the recipes in this book were going to be from scratch. Dutch country cooking is like that. This books uses cans of soup and other means to complete the recipes. Also, you can't eat this food every night. It will give you a heart attack. I'm willing to give this book another try, but I think I'll stick to some of my other books. Don't buy this book if you are expecting traditional Mennonite cooking, that's not what this book is!!

Beats Betty hands down!:
I was given this cookbook as a gift while living in the Shenandoah Valley. Little did I know that it would become not only my most favorite cookbook, but really the kitchen bible. I am a cookbook collector but this one is hardly ever put away. It has helpful information for beginner cooks as well as the more experienced ones. The recipes use basic foods but make wonderful meals. I love her recipe "Clothes Stain Remover". Anyone with children need that one! She covers gardening, canning, butchering, substitutes, entertaining, etc. It is a wonderful gift idea that your friends will thank you for years to come.

An absolute survival kit for any cook.:
As a New York City working woman with a house, two kids and a husband, this book is my lifeline to kitchen survival. A friend was convinced she needed the book when I found a recipe for syrup (I realized we were out after making the third pancake). It has easy to follow instructions, easy to substitute ingredients and I live on the quick fix section. Other recipe books have come and gone, but this one is my bible for the kitchen.