Hunger invades me as I recall my mother in her kitchen preparing a huge vat of chicken stock in her pressure cooker. Left-over chicken bones, vegetables, even onion skins, were tossed into the concoction to produce the fabulous stock she often froze for future use. Nothing beats homemade chicken stock, but I admit mine often comes out of a box from the grocery store. I buy the organic variety without added sugar, but it can’t hold a candle to my mother’s. I dice up a plethora of veggies (Mom would sauté them but I usually don’t bother), toss in sliced left-over chicken, season with salt to taste, heat until the vegetables are cooked, and voila: my husband’s favorite meal. Especially today, when he’s battling a cold. Doesn’t chicken soup cure about everything?
In most of Mom’s cooking extravaganzas, she started from scratch. Her home-canned peaches from our tree were to die for as were her dolmades, wrapped in leaves from my parent’s grape vine.
Adventurous as my mother was, she did not make her own pasta nor bread, something that many of you might do. And she served Campbell’s tomato soup with toasted cheese sandwiches for lunch for us kids.
When visiting, our son is welcome to cook in our kitchen.
What comes to mind when you hear the term Starting from Scratch? These days, is it the same as homemade? I think of the Amish who grow many of their own crops and can their produce up for winter. I love their pickled beets, applesauce, and chow-chow. Yum! These tasty treats remind me of sitting at an Old Order Amish friend’s table for dinner after bowing our heads in silent prayer.
What a delight to find these Amish-made jams and jellies for sale at the side of the road.
All this talking about food is making me hungry. What is your favorite food item to prepare from scratch? At this moment popcorn sounds good.
A charming Amish-made apron from Lancaster County, and a towel and dish-rag.
Leave a comment to enter to win this charming Amish-made apron, towel, and washrag from Lancaster County, plus a signed copy of A Letter from Lancaster County, or one book from The Legacy of Lancaster County Trilogy: either Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish. Winner has three days to respond. USA and Canada only.
PS: On a serious note, if you preorder a copy of Starting from Scratch from an online vendor, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM, or Christianbooks.com, you will qualify for an extra entry in an upcoming giveaway.
Important: Please save your receipt! If you use the preorder as an extra entry and win the fabulous prize (still a secret), you will be asked to produce a copy of the receipt.
Starting from scratch to me brings back memories of my dad. About every Saturday,our house would smell so good with my dad making bread or sugar cookies . Then the chicken and dumplings . Made me never want to go out on a Saturday. Thanks for allowing me to participate in this giveaway.
What a wonderful dad you had, Marilyn. And pretty smart, when you think about it. Thanks for leaving your lovely comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Awesome give away. I preordered “Starting from Scratch” i try to cook from scratch. Depends on what’s going on and how much time I have and how I am feeling at the time.
Thanks so much for preordering Starting from Scratch, Lisa! PLEASE SAVE the RECEIPT for future use. And thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Love the giveaway! I am obsessed with aprons so this is right up my alley.
What fun that you love aprons, Rachel. This giveaway is right up your alley. Thanks for entering and good luck!
Kate
Mom made boiled apple dumplings that we begged for years after we were grown and married. Wish I knew how she made them.
You are not alone, Mary. I should have paid more attention to my mother’s cooking too. Not to mention the history of her childhood. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Would love a signed copy of your book. And that apron is beautiful!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Mary!
Kate
I enjoy making soups from scratch, although I don’t make my own stock. I did once and it was delicious but with enough seasonings and simmering the kind you buy at the store is pretty good. As always a great giveaway, thanks for the opportunity to win!
Homemade soup is what I had for lunch today, Linda. Delicious and nutritious. I don’t know how many vegetables we’re supposed to eat in one day, but soup is a great way to get the job done. Delightful to hear from you and wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Wow, that is beautiful! I love cooking from scratch especially when it’s an old family recipe!
How great that you have old family recipes, Stephanie. My hunch is that few people do anymore, what with searching the Internet instead of Grandma’s old cookbook. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Thank you so much for the giveaway. I love to cook and bake!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Sur. I’m sure your friends and family appreciate your cooking and baking!
Kate
I don’t have a favorite food item to make from scratch. I enjoy making baked goods though so a sweet baked good from scratch would be my favorite item to make from scratch!
Sounds yummy, Sabrina. And sweet! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Buying ingredients and/or fresh food and cooking a meal w/out a “box mix” full of additives! Growing my own vegetables; purchasing vegetables, fruits & honey from local growers…making clothes from a piece of fabric and a pattern (some people don’t even need a pattern!) making Christmas gifts (hand sewn, knitted, or crocheted, canned, or baked)
Sounds as if you make a lot from scratch, MS. How great that you grow your own vegetables, plus purchase local fruits and honey. Even sewing clothes. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Kate
From scratch, it’s the BEST!!!
I agree. Thanks for entering the giveaway, Susan. Good luck!
Kate
What a beautiful giveaway. We make almost everything from scratch. No processed foods for us. It is so much healthier and tastier. Blessings to you Kate
Wow, good for you, Robin. You are most likely more healthy for not eating processed food, not to mention the great taste of your homemade edibles. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Starting from scratch always reminds me of my grandmother, my grandmother never had a lot of what the world would call fancy things, but one thing about her she could provide a table full of food for her entire family out of very little. She always seem to have the basics and she would create the most wonderful meals. Oh how I miss her cooking. Everything she made took time, no processed this or that, but the end result was delicious and made with lots of love.
Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your grandmother’s dinner table, Cindy. Sounds delicious. I imagine you miss her cooking. And her. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Beautiful giveaway thank you pretty
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Margaret!
Kate
To me, starting from scratch reminds me of my German grandmother who cooked from scratch. She made rogenbrot (rye bread), pfeffernüsse (pepper cookies) and leberwurst (liver sausage). I really liked the bread and cookies but not the liver sausage so much.
Your German grandmother sounds as if she was a wonderful cook, Lisa. I recall loving what we called liverwurst (American spelling) as a child, but I also loved my mother’s homemade pâté, made of chicken livers. Thanks for leaving your comment (food for thought) and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love doing things from scratch. Always makes me feel so good! But, I have have to admit, I don’t always have that kind of time. Life gets so hectic and so I find myself looking for shortcuts in lots of things that I need to do each day, and sometimes it has that type of result, unfortunately. But I keep trying and now that I am retired, I hope that things will eventually slow down to a calmer pace! Cute items, Kate!! And I am dying to read your new book!
I am delighted you look forward to reading my new book, Sonja! How exciting that you are retired and will have more time. Not that everyone needs to love to cook. Many don’t and explore other avenues of creativity. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
This would be Awesome to win. Thank you!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Mary!
Kate
I made a cake once from scratch. I felt so accomplished. When my husband tried it he said, “it’s so dry!” Cake mix cakes are so much better!!
I never again made a scratch cake, LOL.
What a wonderful giveaway!
I can’t say I agree with your husband, Gail. Maybe your cake was dry … but that was just one cake and one recipe. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I am gluten free so I make all of our food from scratch.Chicken soup is a favorite.I love everything Amish. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
If you eat gluten-free, chicken soup is a wonderful choice, leaving out the noodles of course, Rose. Eating Amish can be a challenge … So many delectable’s that include wheat flour. Thanks so much for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have read many of your books an I would love to be a winner an owner of at least one of your books. I read only Amish stories, so thank you for this chance.
Thanks very much, Karen. I would love it if you were the winner. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Starting from Scratch reminds me a cooking and baking with my Grandmother…everything was from scratch…
I’m sure you cherish these fond memories of cooking with your grandmother, Tammy. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t really know what my favorite cooked from scratch food would be, but I do love cooked from scratch yeast rolls. Looking forward to reading your new book! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Cooked from scratch yeast rolls sound delicious, Tiffany, especially if warm with lots of butter. I hope you enjoy my new book. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I try to cook from scratch most of the time, usually cooking a few meals at a time for the whole week. Thank you for the opportunity to win this giveaway.
You sound organized, Beverly. What a great idea. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Kate, thank you for the opportunity. Wow those are beautiful. My grandma died in 1998. The last thing she cooked was a big strawberry cobbler. Blessed day.
What a lovely grandma you had, Susan. You must miss her immensely, not to mention her strawberry cobblers. Wishing you a blessed day and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
i like to cook from scratch when I’m not working. it taste so much better and healthy. Would love to win this awesome give away. Thanks for a chance to win.
Since I work out of my home, cooking from scratch is a little more convenient, Kristina. I would love to have you win this giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
For cooking I think it means fresh ingredients. Otherwise it means starting over from the beginning.
Ah, you have come upon two main ingredients of my upcoming book, Jan. Thanks for leaving your insightful comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
When I hear the term “starting from scratch”, I imagine a bag of flour and some butter, and some sugar. Baking is always on my mind, or rather eating the bakery!
Just thinking about those three ingredients makes me hungry, Antoinette.I imagine you are fine baker. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
A darling Amish apron…. <3 it.
I don't think about "Cooking from Scratch", but when I really stop to think, I guess I do quite a lot of it!
I make all pie crusts, and fruit pies, from scratch. My grandkids always want a deep dish apple pie for birthdays, instead of cake. My one daughter recently requested homemade Carrot cake, like I used to always make for family dinners. When I think of holiday dinners with family, most everything would qualify for "From Scratch".
Homemade canned pickled beets are SO MUCH BETTER, than the ones purchased at the store, but I have not made in years. Thankfully, one daughter still cans them from her garden. I love picking fresh ripe peaches from the tree, and canning them, so much better than commercially canned peaches. We always freeze corn from the garden, and also make applesauce and freeze. Quite simple, but NO comparison in the taste, of those 2 items, if you buy them at the store!!!
Now in our 70's, I do not can and freeze nearly as much as I used to!
It is a LOT of work! lol
Thank for your Lancaster series…very enjoyable! Blessings to YOU!
I would pick your apple pie too, Carol. What fund that your grandkids enjoy it so much. It sounds as though you have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to canning and freezing produce. I am so pleased to hear you enjoyed my Lancaster book series. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Starting from scratch sounds like homemade goodness! There used to be a fair amount of that at my house. Now it is often home-baked—a subtle difference in that description Thank you for the opportunity and congratulations on your new book!
Thanks for leaving your comment, Anne, which has me thinking about the subtle differences. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Starting from scratch was how my family always cooked! Old fashioned Italian!
I adore Italian food, Rita. Hard to beat and apparently good for the heart. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I make most of my baked goods from scratch. I would love to win one of your books and that beautiful apron. Thanks for the chance to win.
I predict your baked goods are delicious, Donna. I would love you to win one of my books, not to mention the apron. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
This brings back my moms chicken and dumplings..I love them and none has ever compared to my moms.No matter how hard I try mine just doesn’t taste like my moms did.I love reading your blog posts Kate.I am looking forward to reading this new book.Thanks for sharing!
I have the same problem, Jackie. Why is it that my mother’s food always tasted better? I’m delighted to hear you enjoy reading my blog posts. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Starting from scratch makes me think of someone who’s house has burned or newlyweds.
My favorite recipe to make from scratch is a pear pie. No one’s ever heard of it, but it’s wonderful! My pie crusts are homemade. My recipe makes 6 double crust pies, so I’m a little ahead on the makings, when I start. I put the rest in the freezer to save for when I need a crust.
You can count me among the many people who have never eaten a pear pie, Tee. Although I’ve enjoyed pears in other desserts such as tarts. In our kitchen right now we have pears. I love eating them all year long, if available. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love a good beef stew or hamburger stew made from scratch.
Both sound delicious, Nancy. Wish we had the makings in our refrigerator right now. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I’m kind of like your mother certain things I do from scratch and the I’m not afraid to open a can once in awhile. ha ha I love to buy some of those Amish canned goods. We always buy the peaches!
I absolutely adore canned peaches, Vickie. We have one certain brand of fresh peaches (Frog Hollow) that comes to one store that we wait in anticipation for all year. But that is a short window of opportunity. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I already have my copy preordered from CBD!
Hurray, and thanks for pre-ordering, Rachael. I noticed they have the best price. In the meantime, PLEASE save the receipt for future use. A fabulous giveaway just before and during book release, and a preorder (with receipt) gets you an extra entry. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Most of my baking is done by scratch. Scratch just tastes so much better than most box mixes. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ll bet your baking is scrumptious, Cindy. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Chocolate Chip Cookies are probably my favorite thing to make from scratch, and what an awesome prize to win. Thanks for the chance.
Oh, they sound so yummy, Fay. Thanks for writing and tickling my taste buds. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Thank you for the opportunity to win this pretty apron. I love your books. Thank you very much!
Thanks for stopping by and entering the giveaway, Linda. And thanks for your kind words about my books. Good luck!
Kate
Would love to win!!!!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Peggy!
Kate
Making biscuits not from bisquick. My late father could make practically anything taste good. Today he would’ve been 79 years young…
Sounds as though you had a wonderful father, Crystal. You must miss him very much, as I do my own, who is also a very good cook. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Scratch to me is anything that didn’t come per-made.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Theresa!
Kate
Starting from Scratch sounds wonderful! My mother was not much of a baker…☹️ Although she made homemade tortillas and her Mexican dishes from scratch. They filled our kitchen with wonderful aromas. I on the other hand bake breads, pies from scratch. I use to bake down pumpkins for my pies and other pumpkin dishes, homemade butter and applesauce. No more!!! Lol. I use can stuff now days. The Amish are so amazing…with my worn out back I would never make it in the Amish world. This is a wonderful give away! Thank you for giving us a chance.
Your mother’s homemade tortillas and her Mexican dishes sound divine, as do your breads and pies, Linda. I was just thinking about the task of cutting and cooking pumpkins the other day. I agree. Too hard. One lovely aspect of an Amish family and community is that the younger members help the older ones. Thanks so much for leaving your comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Starting from scratch makes me think of the biscuits my grandmother used to make every morning. Thank you for offering the giveaway.
Those biscuits sound scrumptious, Wendy. If they were cooked first thing in the morning, I assume butter and jam or honey followed. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Starting from scratch reminds me of the chicken and dumplings my great grandmother would make. It also reminds me of all the homemade pound cakes I would make with my dad. Enjoyed reading your blog on starting from scratch and the chance to win the beautiful apron, towel, and wash rag plus the signed book!
How blessed you were to have a great grandmother who cooked chicken and dumplings, Patti. And your dad liked to cook too? What a great family. Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I would simply LOVE to win this beautiful prize.I read Amish novels exclusively! Thank you for the chance! !
Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering the giveaway, Sherry. Good luck!
Kate
My Hubby and I still make a lot from scratch. We plant a big garden every year. We can a lot of tomatoes, chow chow, pickle relish, different fruit jams, apple butter and lots of other stuff. Last year I made honeysuckle jelly for the first time. It is so good!!! We freeze a lot of produce too. We both love to cook and I try new recipes all the time. My favorite memories is when my Daughter helped me with cooking.
What a dynamic duo you and your husband are, Lori. It sounds as if you two were meant for each other and lead a fun and productive life together. Thanks for sharing your favorite memories; I wish I had a daughter … But you never know, mine might not have liked to cook. I appreciate your lovely comment and wish you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Wife makes a ton of our food from scratch she is an awesome cook but,,,, I make the stock lol I add almost anything vegetable but I use a carrot peeler and peel everything including celery tops and the onions but my favorite scratch making is applesauce I like mine chunky so better to make my own
I had never thought about using a peeler, Richard. I’ll have to give it a try. My husband and I enjoy baked apples, which are sort of like chunky applesauce. Thanks for writing and sharing your tip. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Pot roast sounds good. I add onions, carrots & potatoes to the beef. A bit of salt & pepper for seasoning. Bake it til tender. I always make gravy from the juices in the pan.
Pot roast sounds extra good, Susan. I used to make that all the time when our kids were home, and must try again thanks to your mouthwatering description. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I still cook from scratch often, but now it’s just my husband and me most nights and we fall back on high-quality frozen dinners now and then. Love the giveaway! Hope I win!
It would be fun if you won, Martha. My husband and I are down to two, but he would never eat a frozen dinner. I don’t think so, anyway. Won’t use a microwave oven either so I got rid of ours. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate