Amish Country Lenten Soup Recipe

Amish Country, Cooking, Family Activities, Homesteading, Thrift

Sarah Nussbaum
February 27, 2015
One Comment

In ourfamily, weobserve the season of Lentby abstaining from meat on Fridays, but also on many other days. In fact, my husband and I decided to give up meat completely this year, as both a spiritual exercise and for health reasons. So when I came across this simple Lenten soup recipe, I was intrigued. A little searching led meto discover some very useful information.

It seems at many local Amish church services–which can last up to a threehours, I’m told–this soup is served afterward to babies and toddlers. It’s called “baby soup.” I can imagine why the little ones (and their mothers) must love it: it’swarm, filling, comforting and uses incredibly simple ingredients. Other sources told me the soup used to be served to everyone after Amish church, with largebowls set upon tables andseveral people eating from one bowl. Today, a typical after-church meal consists of homemade bread withpeanut butter spread, ham,cheese, red beets,picklesand of course,pies. We’ll talk about all THAT after Lent is over!

With this soup’s overall simplicity, a meal can go a long way when helpingus appreciate our blessings as a family. That’s something I think the Amish understand well. Follow this recipe and experience its wholesomeness for yourself.

Amish Church Soup/ Simple Lenten Soup (Serves 4)

1 yellow or white onion,chopped
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
3 cups cooked navy beans
4 cups milk
Homemade or whole wheat store-bought bread, cut into bite sized pieces
Salt and pepperto taste

Cooking Instructions:

Melt butter in alarge pot. 2.
Add chopped onion and saute until soft. 3.
Add beans andmilkand stir to combine.4.
Bring just to boiling.Ladleinto bowls and add bread cubes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

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"Amish Church Soup"

9 years ago

[…] AMISH CHURCH SOUP:Sarah Nussbaum at the Lehman’s Hardware site in Kidron, Ohio has a fascinating post this week about a soup recipe she’s come across in Amish country and also suggests it as a great Lenten meal for those going meatless. The soup is vegetarian (meat is overrated, in my opinion) and sounds full of flavor. Her post says that some Amish call this “baby soup” because it is served to babies after the long church services. While I have not heard of this particular recipe, it is not uncommon for a big pot of soup to be made just for the babies in attendance to eat either during or after the services. A bunch of babies eating lentils may not be a great idea!:), but this sound sounds great! Click here to read. […]

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Sarah Nussbaum

Sarah Nussbaum is an Ohio-based writer, wife, mom of four children, and aspiring homesteader. She enjoys singing, baking, gardening, home preserving and projects around her family’s 180-year-old farmhouse.

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