In a Shaker Kitchen: 100 Recipes From the Shaker Tradition (Norma MacMillan)

[Rozzer]

The Shakers were a rather small American religious group dating back to the eighteenth century who lived communal lives on rural farms. Their communal lives included communal cooking with the ingredients provided by their own farming efforts. Their recipes are very wholesome and hark back to times during which American food traditions were just beginning. Norma MacMillan's very well-illustrated book is an excellent compendium of really satisfying Shaker dishes that are easy to prepare and delicious as served.

I'd direct your attention to recipes such as Fish Chowder on page 40, Beef Stew with Herb Dumplings on page 54, Lamb Shanks with Dried Fruit on page 59, Ham and Potato Hash on page 62, Smothered Onion Pie on page 68, Baked Stuffed Acorn Squash on page 75, Cucumbers in Cream on page 80, Cabbage Salad on page 88, and Whipped Cream Biscuits on page 102. Desserts include Apple and Blackberry Batter Pudding on page 116, Citrus Sponge Pudding with Cherry Sauce on page 120, Rosewater Ice Cream on page 123 and Maple Pecan Fudge on page 130.

Here's my favorite: Ham and Potato Hash

(4 servings)

2 tbsp butter
1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, minced
1 1/2 lbs boiling potatoes, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups minced cooked ham
2 eggs, beaten
1-2 tsp prepared mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Heat 1 tbsp each of butter and oil in a nonstick frying pan or well seasoned skillet. Add the onion and potatoes and cook until tender and lightly browned, stirring frequently.

Turn the onion and potatoes into a bowl and add the ham, eggs and mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

Heat the remaining butter in the frying pan, with more oil if necessary. Spoon in the ham and potato mixture and spread out evenly, pressing down into a cake. Cook until browned on the base, about 5 minutes. Then turn over and brown the other side. Cut in wedges to serve.

[CM]

I have this book somewhere (probably still in one of those totes - I'll have to go find it now!).

It's a nice tour of the way the Shakers prepared their meals, homestyle, with few shortcuts and quite down-to-earth.

Thanks for the review!

[brigid]

Sounds like a great recipe. I will have to try this one soon!

[Rozzer]

Caveat Emptor: I do have to say, on re-reading the Ham and Potato Hash recipe set forth above (by me), that to avoid unhappiness, it would probably be best, after having peeled the potatoes, to steam them for about 15 minutes before dicing them and including them in the dish. I kind of doubt that the cooking times provided for the potatoes in the recipe as set forth will be sufficient, and nobody likes underdone potatoes.

[brigid]

What I always do in a situation like that is simply bake them for 30 minutes. Regular sized potatoes will be about right if you do that. Gorgeous recipe, though. Thanks for posting it!