German Recipes: Old World Specialties and Photography from the Amana Colonies

Over 75 photographs from 1900 to the 1980s illustrate life and scenes in the Amana Colonies of Iowa, including German recipes by the cooks who made them famous. The photographs are from the collections of Joan Liffring-Zug and the Museum of Amana History. Over 100 recipes include cabbage soup, beer batter for vegetables, dandelion greens with bacon dressing, Amana-style sour cream salad, German peasant stew, quick sauerbraten, rabbit, roast pheasant with apples and kraut, and more. Directions are given for an old-style colony dinner including spinach, boiled beef, fried potatoes and radish salad.Over the years, millions of visitors have enjoyed these foods served family style in the Amana restaurants. Other recipes are ones served primarily in the homes of Amana people. Additional recipes are reprinted from previous recipe collections. This book is an expanded edition of a 40-page book first published in the 1980s.The Amana Colonies are seven little villages where, from 1854 to 1932, these German-speaking people lived a communal religious life. In 1932 they voted to incorporate their land, factories and various businesses. The people bought their own homes and many founded businesses, including the restaurants noted for serving ample portions family style. The Amanas are open for visitors all year.Sue Roemig Goree of Iowa City, Iowa, grew up in the Amanas and writes of the delicacies from the garden of her "oma" (grandmother). Traditions such as the cake shower for the new bride and groom at their reception and typical recipes are given in this book. Essays cover the Christmas customs, the Museum of Amana Heritage, and how to visit and enjoy the Amanas.

This book was given to me by a friend who knows of my interest in German-American things. I had never heard of the Amana community before. At first glance, I thought, "isn't that nice...," but this is a very interesting book. The recipes are great and the book is full of fascinating details about this German-American community. The only trouble with this book is that some of the ingredients are not readily available. This should not stop you from purchasing this book, it is well worth the money!