Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook {A Review}

**I received a complimentary sample of this cookbook through Netgalley for consideration. Post contains affiliate links. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

Brand new, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is a collection of over 200 recipes that are great for taking along and sharing where people meet to worship, work, and play. Included are tips for traveling with and serving food as well as personal stories of how gatherings are at the heart of the Amish community. The well-organized book boasts contributions from Amish and Mennonites from across the United States. Categories include Beverages, Snacks, Breads and Rolls, Salads, Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Desserts, and Feeding a Crowd. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home cooks from all backgrounds will want to add this cookbook to their collection. Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook is sure to become a treasured resource.

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages.  With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

First and foremost, it is important to note that this review is based upon a sample received and not the full cookbook. That being said, I enjoyed what I saw so much, that the full cookbook has most certainly been added to my wish list.

I love a good cookbook. In fact, I have quite a collection of them that I use frequently. Some of my favorites are those that are not merely by one person, but those that feature a compilation of recipes from various sources. For me these are the best for two reasons. The first being that they tend to have a wider variety of styles, flavors, etc. Being by different individuals, they seem to just offer a lot more options to choose from. The second reason is that I find these type of cookbooks feature recipes that have been tried and trusted by REAL people--- not chefs, but at home cooks and bakers like myself. That's not to say they're always simple... I just personally feel like I know that these recipes are those that have some family history to them. I absolutely love that. This cookbook offers not only a wide variety of recipes that are perfect for church cookouts, family gatherings and more... but also lots of helpful tips and tricks for the occasion too. All of this is great, but more than anything I enjoyed the stories within as well. Food is such a staple in family celebrations, and one that is embedded in our memories so I love reading more about those memories within. It is more than JUST a cookbook.

I was drawn to this book having read Amish fiction by Wanda E. Brunstetter in the past. The stories and the recipes within are going to be a great addition for anyone who is already a fan of her novels, or truly just anyone who loves a good ol' fashioned cookbook. It is certainly a welcome addition to my own collection, and one I know I will be turning to time and time again.