Our week started out by helping Emma and Jacob cut up 1,400 pounds of beef. Our five schoolchildren were home from school for their midwinter break, so they were also on hand to help. My husband Joe worked only a half-day at the factory, so he was able to be there by mid-morning to help us. We sure were glad for extra pairs of hands. Sisters Verena and Susan also assisted with helping us cut up the meat.
It was a full day, but we managed to get it all done. Some meat was cut up for beef chunks and the rest for hamburger. Joe and Jacob ground the hamburger that evening. Jacob was off from his factory job, so Emma was glad for his help in getting the meat all processed.
We put a lot of the hamburger in the freezer, but still processed and canned 85 quarts and also 44 quarts of beef chunks. The meat was then cooked off the bones and made into vegetable soup. It made 28 quarts of vegetable soup and 10 quarts of beef broth. Emma and Jacob were really glad for all the meat.
While we were in their garage cutting up their meat, Jacob and Emma's two boys and our Benjamin and Joseph were in the barnyard having a grand time. Jacob went out to check on them and discovered that they had a long rope tied to their untrained pony's halter. To the other end of the rope they had tied their sleds. All four boys were on the sled while the pony was galloping around the field. They were enjoying the fast sled ride, but did not think about the danger that could happen with the long rope. Jacob soon had them stopped and we were all thankful that no one was hurt. What imaginations children have sometimes!
Friday evening Joe and I went to the hospital to visit Joe's brother-in-law. He has been in the hospital almost a week. They are doing tests on his heart. He also has had asthma for many years. Joe's sister, Carole, and her husband have seven children, so I'm sure they would all be glad to be back home together again.
We have received quite a bit of snow that the children have been enjoying. Yesterday it was almost impossible to see at times because of all the snow.
The other day, Verena and Benjamin had their checkup at the doctor to see if everything was still OK from their recent tonsil surgery. The doctor said that all is well. Benjamin was excited again to be able to go out and enjoy all this snow.
Meanwhile, my daughter Elizabeth, 14, spent Saturday evening and night at a friend's house in honor of her friend's birthday. Elizabeth went to church with her friend and family the next morning. It seems so empty around here with her not at home. We had planned to also attend church in that district but Kevin's asthma fired up a little, so we stayed home. He's doing fine now, though, and seems to be healthy again.
Seeing the blowing snow, it was nice just to sit in the cozy house.
With all the fresh hamburger Jacob and Emma gave to us, we are enjoying it in soup, casseroles and cheeseburgers. This is one of the meals we've made with the fresh meat.
Cheesy Hamburger Dish
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c. diced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3 medium potatoes, diced
1-inch slab cheddar cheese, shredded
1 5-oz. can evaporated milk
1 5-oz. can water
In a large skillet, brown the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat. Remove from the heat and drain the grease. Set aside.
In a separate skillet, cook the potatoes until tender; drain. Add cheese, evaporated milk and water. Add the drained beef. Heat over low and season to taste with salt and pepper for about 15 minutes until everything is tender and cooked and the cheese is golden brown. Jalapeno peppers and chili powder can also be added depending on how hot you like your meal.
Lovina Eicher is Old Order Amish. She hand-writes this column from her home in southern Michigan. Anyone with cultural or cooking questions can send them to: Lovina Eicher, The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042. Read all of her columns online at www.record-eagle.com/amishcook.
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