Book Review: Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends No Waste Cookbook
Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends No Waste Cookbook: More Than 270 Recipes Help Stretch a Food Budget by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I became interested in this cookbook thanks to the words, ‘No Waste’ in the title, and the practical spiral binding which allows the book to lay flat when open. While I often enjoy trendy, conceptual cookbooks, at heart I’m an old-fashioned cook who appreciates a thrifty, no-nonsense approach.
And here’s a fun fact: Wanda E. Brunstetter is also an Amish Romance author who has written over a hundred novels! I’m impressed!
I live in a small town nestled in the farmlands of Mid-Michigan, and am lucky to be able to grow or forage quite a bit of our food. I make use of canning, freezing, pickling and dehydrating in order to enjoy the bounty all year long. I’m always ‘hungry’ for new tips, tricks and advice. Amish and Mennonite women have shared their knowledge and experience with Mrs. Brunstetter, who gathered them together into this cookbook.
The “Tips” sprinkled throughout make me smile. “Fresh dandelion blossoms can be dipped in batter and fried, or chop them and fry them with scrambled eggs.” Now there’s a resource nearly everyone has plenty of, and I know dandelions are very good for you!
The recipes are practical, frugal, and most of them are easy to make. But, it’s not boring food. For example, there’s Maple Mocha, Best Brunch Enchiladas, Cowboy Casserole, Pumpkin Soup, Coffee Pudding, and Black Magic Cake.
Dietary restrictions are acknowledged, too. There’s a gluten-free dairy-free bread recipe from a Michigander, which I may try for our next family gathering as we have relatives who need to be careful with gluten and dairy.
Don’t miss the “Editor’s Notes” at the end for page after page of time-proven, frugal, clever advice. This section alone is worth the price of admission.
My thanks to the author, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Lori Alden Holuta
Lori Alden Holuta lives between the cornfields of Mid-Michigan, where she grows vegetables and herbs when she’s not writing, editing, or playing games with a cat named Chives.
