This week on Amish Wisdom: Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Authors!

I'm cooking up somthing great for this week's show. The amazing duo behind the Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks, Vickie and Jo Ann, will be on Thursday's show to share about their company, the cookbooks and so much more.

For a chance to win a copy of one of their beloved cookbooks, Harvest Table, leave a comment here (or email amy@litfusegroup.com if the comment box isn't working). Winner will be notified next week via email.

A word from Vickie and Jo Ann about Gooseberry Patch:

Back in 1984, we were next-door neighbors raising our families in the little town of Delaware, Ohio. Two moms with small children, we were looking for a way to do what we loved and stay home with the kids too. We had always shared a love of home cooking and making memories with family & friends and so, after many a conversation over the backyard fence, Gooseberry Patch was born. 

We put together our first catalog at our kitchen tables, enlisting the help of our loved ones wherever we could. From that very first mailing, we found an immediate connection with many of our customers and it wasn’t long before we began receiving letters, photos and recipes from these new friends. In 1992, we put together our very first cookbook, compiled from hundreds of these recipes and, the rest, as they say, is history. 

Hard to believe it’s been over 25 years since those kitchen-table days! From that original little Gooseberry Patch family, we’ve grown to include an amazing group of creative folks who love cooking, decorating and creating as much as we do. Today, we’re best known for our homestyle, family-friendly cookbooks, now recognized as national bestsellers. 

One thing’s for sure, we couldn’t have done it without our friends all across the country. Each year, we’re honored to turn thousands of your recipes into our collectible cookbooks. Our hope is that each book captures the stories and heart of all of you who have shared with us. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just discovering us, welcome to the Gooseberry Patch family! Learn more at www.gooseberrypatch.com.

Here's a fun recipe from the Christmas in the Country Cookbook:

Berry Scone Mix in a Jar

2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. vanilla sugar

1/4 c. powdered milk

2 t. baking powder

1 t. lemon zest

1/4 t. salt

1/3 c. shortening

1 c. sweetened, dried blueberries

Stir together flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, lemon zest and salt in a large bowl. Cut in shortening using a pastry cutter or fork, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in berries. Pour into a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar; pack down gently. Add additional berries to fill jar if necessary. Secure lid; attach instructions. Store at room temperature for up to 6 weeks, or freeze up to 6 months. 

Instructions:

Place scone mix in a large bowl; toss gently to mix. Add one beaten egg and 1/4 cup water; stir just until moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; quickly knead gently for 12 to 15 strokes, or until nearly smooth. Pat to 1/2-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place one inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly; serve warm. Makes 6 to 8 scones.

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Comments
  1. Kristie D. says: I have read and downloaded some of your books and recipes and they are delicious! Yum yum! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 10:15 am EST
  2. Leigh-Anne O'B says: These recipe books look AMAZING!! I would be honoured to receive one of them to begin my Gooseberry Patch culinary journey!! Many thanks.

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 1:07 pm EST
  3. Amy C says: I love the Gooseberry Patch books! Campbellamyd at Gmail dot com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 1:20 pm EST
  4. Melissa says: I love your all of your books. racky@carolina.rr.com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 2:55 pm EST
  5. Name Brenda. W says: Comment Love these cookbook great food please put my name in for the drawing Thank you strawberriesof57@yahoo.com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 2:58 pm EST
  6. Name says: Comment

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 4:26 pm EST
  7. Janet Nush says: I would love to win a copy of this cookbook!! Thanks for having such great contests. Janetnush@hotmail.com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 4:41 pm EST
  8. NameLinda Dietz says: Comment Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks have been a "not-so-guilty" pleasure of mine for a long time. They ooze of the comforts of family, friends, home

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 4:45 pm EST
  9. Linda Dietz says: oops! lldietz@gmail.com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 4:46 pm EST
  10. NameNancy D'Oporto says: Comment I love love love your books. I look at them just for pure enjoyment. gr8fullone@gmail.com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 5:15 pm EST
  11. Name Diane Cunningham says: Comment I enjoyed the conversation today!

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 5:30 pm EST
  12. Name Phyllis Kemp says: Please enter me in the cookbook drawing for Gooseberry Patch. First time listener.

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 5:33 pm EST
  13. Phyllis Kemp says: Please enter me in opportunity to win copy of Gooseberry Patch cookbook. gpk1946@gmail.com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 5:44 pm EST
  14. Kristin Jager says: I love collecting cookbooks and this would be a wonderful addition to my cookbook collection!!! I have always wanted a Gooseberry Patch Cookbook. Thank you for this opportunity. Blessings Keithkrisjager@aol.com

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 5:54 pm EST
  15. Phyllis Kemp says: gpk1946@gmail.com forgot to leave my address before

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 5:55 pm EST
  16. Kathie from CA says: I love Gooseberry Patch books and would love to add the newest one to my collection.

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 5:56 pm EST
  17. Angie Adair says: I collect cookbooks. I have hundreds. Gooseberry patch recipes are always good recipes! angadair @ nwcable.net

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 6:24 pm EST
  18. Theresa Oberlag says: theresa.oberlag@gmailcom.....would love to win

    Posted on: 08-23-2012 @ 6:41 pm EST
  19. Linda says: Thank you for the opportunity to win a HARVEST TABLE cookbook! Gooseberry Patch is new to me.

    Posted on: 08-24-2012 @ 7:43 am EST
  20. Brenda Welch says: I would love to win this cookbook. bbwelch@windstream.net

    Posted on: 08-24-2012 @ 8:11 am EST
  21. Johnda Scott says: Would love to win!! jlscott49 at roadrunner dot com

    Posted on: 08-24-2012 @ 8:26 pm EST
  22. apple blossom says: would love to win GBP cookbook thanks nice program ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    Posted on: 08-27-2012 @ 9:49 am EST
  23. felecia says: I love cookbooks! Thanks for the chance! felecia@twinoaksfl.org

    Posted on: 08-29-2012 @ 11:33 am EST
  24. Maxie Anderson says: Please enter me for this book. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

    Posted on: 08-30-2012 @ 10:05 pm EST
  25. Christen -- ckrumm@litfusegroup.com says: Congratulations Kristin Jager you have won!

    Posted on: 09-07-2012 @ 11:04 pm EST


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