Customer Reviews

Farm Recipes and Food Secrets from the Norske Nook

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There is a small-town cafe in Osseo, Wisconsin, called the Norske Nook which has earned a reputation for outstanding cooking and great eating. It was founded by Helen Myhre who, with the collaborative help of Mona Vold, now presents an outstanding cookbook that showcases all of the gustatory reasons why the Norske Nook became a regional Wisconsin success. This outstanding compendium of recipes is presented in sections devoted to Brads, Rolls and Sweet Dough Treats; Assorted Meats and Gravies; Fresh and Canned Treasures from the Garden and Wild Patches; Farm Meals; Pies, Tortes, Pan Desserts, and Puddings; Cakes, Bars, and Frostings; Cookies and Fry Cakes; Homemade Ice Creams and Toppings; Old-Fashioned Beverages and New-Fangled Punches; Scandinavian Specialities; Good Kitchen Tools and Mail-Order Products. No personal or community library Wisconsin oriented cookbook collection can be considered complete without the prominent inclusion of Helen Myhre and Mona Vold's Farm Recipes And Food Secrets From The Norske Nook!

If this doesn't improve your cooking, you are either one phenomenal cook, or you need to just start ordering in. Everything is fantastic in this book. I have had it for over a year, now, and I haven't had a bad batch of anything yet. Helen Myhre has tips and techniques that I wouldn't have ever used, but they've work so well that I'd no sooner give them up than give away my favorite pot. I'd been looking for a good pie crust recipe for about twenty years and finally found it here. The recipe was fantastic, something I would have never tried, and everyone compliments my pie crusts. I wish I could spend a day in this gal's kitchen; she is really something else. I don't give a review unless I'm pretty strongly for or against something. This one had to be written. Buy two copies - one for yourself, and one for the person who feeds you most (besides yourself). I've actually travelled to the Norske Nook (on my way elsewhere, believe it or not), and even the french fries are uncommonly good. Warning: recipes contain copious amounts of butter, LOL!

I bought this book for myself and one for my Norwegian neighbor. We both LOVE this book. The recipes are great, but we enjoyed her great stories and memories that are included too. Brought back memories for us too since we could relate to it ourselves or stories from our parents and grandparents. I HIGHLY recommend this book, even if you aren't Norwegian.........it isn't just Norwegian recipes.......just GOOD food. My neighbor had been to the original restaurant many years ago and had gone back recently. She also said it has changed now with other owners.

I grew up with a grandfather who was born in 1889, who survived the first world war, married his wife at the age of 30, had 5 kids, survived the Great Depression, and made a living as a dairy farmer in Mid-Western Wisconsin. He participated in the old-time threshing crews, which meant 15-20 neighbors (read: big strapping men from other farms) would congregate to help each other harvest their crops from the fields. Who fed all of these burly men? The women! Helen Myhers is the real-deal. She has compiled a cookbook full of recipes that are the actual farm recipes used by the women who fed the threshing crews on hot summer days. You'll find classic menus for holidays, Norwegian favorites, old-time baking from scratch, and my personal favorite- a killer Blueberry Bluff Cake. I'd recommend buying this book in hardcover, because you'll have it forever and return to it over and over again. I can attest to that. Mine is already ragged and very well used. There is also a very sentimental aspect to this cookbook. Helen writes about her memories too and gives readers a background about each chapter and each recipe. Her stories resonated with me and the memories I had about growing up on my grandparents farm near Helen's restaurant, so I cherish the book for its authenticity.

I grew up with amazing midwestern farm food served on my grandmas table. I have wonderful memories of standing side-by-side my grandma in her farm kitchen making pie dough and roll out sugar cookies. Sadly, by the time I grew up my Grandma was in mid-stage dementia and she could not communicate the wonderful recipes that were stored in her head. I went through several "farm cookbooks" never finding the same taste of my Grandma's food. I finally came across this cookbook at the library. The recipes taste just like my Grandmas cooking and that is why I love it so much. The apple and Dutch apple pie- Divine! Raspberry, pretzel salad is a must at Christmas and her sugar cookies are perfect! I also learned to make a perfect potroast and gravy from this book. I also love her stories and little history lessons that Helen includes with many of the recipes. I give this book for wedding gifts. Perfect for anyone who desires to make REAL midwestern fare.

Curiously, I recieved this book the day my Grandpa passed away. I had ordered it a few days before, and the day I came home from the hospital (he had a massive heart attack), there it was in the mail :) He was a proud Norwegian, born & raised on a farm in WI. I bought this cookbook because I needed some down-home recipes. My family are picky eaters,and don't like "fancy" food. My husband is a good ol' Southern Boy, so I have a hard time finding new recipes everyone will enjoy. That being said, I LOVE this cookbook!!! It's just like my Grammy is talking to me, in simple speak, anyone can follow the recipes in here! The book is filled with down home food that will stand the test of time. Be sure to stock up on butter, shortening, and heavy cream before making anything from the book :) This is not a cookbook for anyone watching their weight, but I have to say, it's worth every delicious calorie! There are recipes for just about everything in here, and I love the fact it really doesn't take much more time to make food from scratch (for the most part, sure some things are much more time consuming). I think this would make a wonder bridesmaid shower gift, as it is not all Norske food, just good old fashioned stick to your ribs food with a few Norske recipes at the end of the book. The stories included will make anyone smile, and if you are Scandanavian, you will surely feel like you are reading your Great Grandmother's recipe cards. All in all, the best cookbook of my collection, which says a lot considering I have a Southern Boy (who likes everything fried with a side of bacon), and my Norwegian/Hungarian-Czech pallate (yes, that's quite a combination).

If I could only keep one cookbook, it would be this one. It has everything you'll ever need. This book has special meaning to me also because 20 years ago I worked at a summer camp and our cook was Helen. Can you imagine? Staying at summer camp and having the best food of your life? Helen had recently sold her restaurant to retire, but somehow she was sweet talked into being our cook. I've never tasted such wonderful food in my life and I doubt I will again. I've made so many recipes out of this cookbook and they are AWESOME! Helen also includes some "training" within the book, which I really appreciate. My favorite recipe is for potato salad--it must satisfy the German in me!

i actually have a question. is the recipe for their chocolate peaunut butter pie in there? because that was THE BEST!