Aromas of Baking & Amish Soup Recipe

THE CONTEST LISTED BELOW IS NOW CLOSED.

I love the aroma of foods, don’t you? —Chili, stews, or soups cooking all day in the Crock Pot or simmering on the stove, bread baking, casseroles in the oven, or steaks on the grill—to mention a few. The wafting scents each carry its own pleasure and those smells often bring memories with it. When I think of a great meal, desserts often come to mind. The sweet, spicy fragrance of a fresh-made pie or cake can linger in the home all day…and remain in the memory for a lifetime. Our Amish friends love to bake, but it’s just one part of a very busy day. Even though every Amish person I know grows their own vegetables and cans their own meat, you’ll find many also trying to save time by using cake mixes, packaged seasonings, or prepared foods from the grocery store. Do you find it surprising, disappointing, or encouraging that most Amish women use a few modern ways to help them accomplish their goals? Do you have a time-saving tip you can share with us? Do Amish novels encourage you to enjoy cooking?

If you’d like a chance to win a set of Amish-made potholders, gift cards, and your choice of one of my books  just leave a comment. Contest/sweepstake is open to those in the United States and Canada. A winner will be drawn Monday, March 1.

To my Facebook friends and fans, you’ll read this blog entry on Facebook through a feed, but if you’d like to be included in the chance to win, you need to go to my Web site and leave a comment. https://www.cindywoodsmall.com

Amish Chicken Noodle Soup
3 pounds chicken
2 quarts water
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 cups celery, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped
1 tart apple, chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
Dash of pepper
4 cups egg noodles

Place chicken in kettle with 2 quarts water. Cover until tender (about 2 1/2 hours).
Remove chicken from kettle and strain broth. Debone chicken and return to kettle with strained broth. Add chicken stock, celery, carrots, apple, onions, and pepper and cook until vegetables are tender. Add noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

Behatz Hoffning (Embrace hope)!

P.S. The winner of the Facebook Contest for the Amish-made quilt is Facebook fan Mary Collins. Congratulations, Mary!