Wednesday, January 6, 2010

THE PIONEER WOMAN COOKS: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE PIONEER WOMAN COOKS

RECIPES FROM AN
ACCIDENTAL COUNTRY GIRL
BY REE DRUMMOND

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Paula Deen meets Erma Bombeck in The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond’s spirited, homespun cookbook. Drummond colorfully traces her transition from city life to ranch wife through recipes, photos, and pithy commentary based on her popular, award-winning blog, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, and whips up delicious, satisfying meals for cowboys and cowgirls alike made from simple, widely available ingredients. The Pioneer Woman Cooks—and with these “Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl,” she pleases the palate and tickles the funny bone at the same time.

My name is Ree.

Some folks know me as The Pioneer Woman.

After years of living in Los Angeles, I made a pit stop in my hometown in Oklahoma on the way to a new, exciting life in Chicago. It was during my stay at home that I met Marlboro Man, a mysterious cowboy with steely blue eyes and a muscular, work-honed body. A strict vegetarian, I fell hard and fast, and before I knew it we were married and living on his ranch in the middle of nowhere, taking care of animals, and managing a brood of four young children. I had no idea how I'd wound up there, but I knew it was exactly where I belonged.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a homespun collection of photography, rural stories, and scrumptious recipes that have defined my experience in the country. I share many of the delicious cowboy-tested recipes I've learned to make during my years as an accidental ranch wife—including Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls—not to mention several "cowgirl-friendly" dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and Crème Brûlée. I show my recipes in full color, step-by-step detail, so it's as easy as pie to follow along.

You'll also find colorful images of rural life: cows, horses, country kids, and plenty of chaps-wearing cowboys.

I hope you get a kick out of this book of mine. I hope it makes you smile. I hope the recipes bring you recognition, accolades, and marriage proposals. And I hope it encourages even the most harried urban cook to slow down, relish the joys of family, nature, and great food, and enjoy life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Howdy. I’m Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman. Welcome to my frontier! I’m a thirty-something ranch wife, mother of four, moderately agoraphobic middle child who grew up on a golf course in the city. I attended college in Los Angeles and wore black pumps to work every day. I ate sushi and treated myself to pedicures on a semi-regular basis. I even kissed James Garner in an elevator once. Then, on a brief trip to my hometown, I met and fell in love with a rugged cattle rancher. Now I live in the middle of nowhere on a working cattle ranch. My days are spent wrangling children, chipping dried manure from boots, washing jeans, and frying calf nuts. I have no idea how I got here…but you know what? I love it. Don’t tell anyone.

REVIEW:

What a delight THE PIONEER WOMAN COOKS is! As more and more books seem to come along with recipes in them, many of which are memoirs as well, it is fun to see the different ways they are presented. Ree Drummond is someone that many of you may know from her blog if nothing else. I, however, never saw her blog and so this book was truly a new experience. I so enjoyed reading about how Ree came to be where she is today from L. A. to on a ranch with the man she loves (the Marlboro Man to those of you in the know) and a wonderful family...and she is delightfully happy. Her happiness is contagious as she shares with the reader her life as it was and is now, and still the main thing, of course, is about THE FOOD! Including photos of her life and family throughout the book just helps to make it seem friendlier and as if it is a good friend or family member sharing some stories and recipes with you.

Her recipes are explained in detail with pictures that take you step-by-step through each of them. For the experienced cook, this may be tedious to you, but for someone who has not cooked much, or someone like me who was so stuck in a rut of frozen food and opening cans, this was the inspiration to get me back to cooking for myself and my husband. So often I see a recipe or picture and want to make it but know it won't come out like it is supposed to as I tend to alter the recipe or not know how to do it right. With THE PIONEER WOMAN COOKS there is not anything left to wonder about. Each recipe is spelled out carefully and photographed and drawn out so that even I can make the food as it should be made...and that is YUMMY! Good home spun, southern country, family cooking, that my husband loves and remembers from his mom...what a happy man! I also have to say some of the recipes I do take liberties with only to spare some of the calories but for the most part, I make them as is. I especially love the oatmeal cookies, creamy mashed potatoes, lasagna, and cinnamon rolls---not the calorie saving attempts for sure!

I love the way the book is organized into categories: Starters, In the Morning, Dinner (meaning Lunch for us), Supper (meaning Dinner) and Sweets (meaning "most important part for ME!"). Ree also includes a section for Sunday Dinner and Cowboy Dinner Party for special occasions. The photographs are delicious and delightful in the book, and the recipes are about three pages long as they include all the steps with pictures.

The book is funny and filled with interesting little asides about Ree's life on the ranch as well as all about the food. She makes you feel like you know her, or for sure you want her to be your friend. Best of all, she makes the recipes easy enough for all of us to be successful with. The down home southern cooking gives you the comfort one expects from this kind of food but also often has a little surprising twist to it and so the end result is a surprise and extra bit of heaven to taste! This book is good to cook with, read, share, and just look at if for no other reason than the lovely photography. Enjoy this one for sure...I know I did!


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO SHAWN AND MY GOOD
FRIENDS AT HARPER COLLINS, I
HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!

THE RULES:

--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING ON REE DRUMMOND'S WEBSITE "CONFESSION OF A PIONEER WOMAN" BY CLICKING HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON IF YOU ARE A GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT FOLLOWER, OR BECOME ONE BY SIGNING UP IN MY LEFT COLUMN. IT IS SO EASY AND DOESN'T COST YOU ANYTHING BUT ABOUT 60 SECONDS. I AM TRYING TO GET TO 600 BY MY FIRST ANNIVERSARY JANUARY 9!

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JANUARY 21


GOOD LUCK!

133 comments:

Anonymous said...

I found it interesting that she homeschools her children. Wish I had homeschooled mine.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Mitzi H. said...

I love The Pioneer Woman's story of how she met her hubby (The Marlboro Man) & I've followed her blog postings of their story for a long long time.

I'm a follower on google friends and google reader.

mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

Love her pictures and her recipes!!!

Renee said...

I am a follower

reneesuz82(at)msn(dot)com

Renee said...

I read Pioneer Woman regularly.... something interesting.... almost everything she writes is interesting. I do enjoy her recipes and when she reviews homeschool curriculum and stories about her brother... see there's lots

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I LOVE Ree's website (everything on it) but I'll just go with the photography section - so cool!

meah56 AT gmail DOT com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I blogged about the giveaway in my sidebar:
http://bookfan-mary.blogspot.com


meah56 AT gmail DOT com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I'm a longtime Google Friend Connect follower : )


meah56 AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I love her sense of humor. Her photography is amazing!

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader friend connect.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I think just the fact that she homeschools and the children love their life is a major accomplishment.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I like her article "Everyone Should Have a Ga-Ga"
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Sarah said...

Winter feeding is one of her favorite parts of ranch life.

faithinhim(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie said...

What is not interesting on her site? I've been reading it for a year and enjoy the recipes so much.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

g.g. said...

I don't know where to begin as I never went to the site before. The fried store bought ravioli looks easy enough for me to try..and now I'm hungry for this book even more!

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I follow on Google Fried Connect...good luck with the 600


anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

Wickdogg said...

I liked that there were so many varied categories to look at including the smartie pants quizzes

wickdogg AT gmail DOT COM

Wickdogg said...

I DO follow on google friend


wickdogg AT gmail DOT COM

Unknown said...

I find it very interesting that she has the time to do the things she does. I am amazed by her everyday.

This would be awesome to win. I love her blog and I got this book for my SIL (http://auntrene.blogspot.com) for Christmas but dummy me didn't get myself one.

jrandtam[at]columbus.rr.com

Unknown said...

Tweeted

http://twitter.com/lovemy2doggies/status/7444225147

Unknown said...

Follower via GFC

jrandtam[at]columbus.rr.com

S. K. said...

I like the user submitted recipes. I found a recipe for black bread that I will be using today.

maynekitty at live dot com

Unknown said...

I love Ree's website. I read her blog daily. I've tried so many of her recipes but our favorite is the Onion Strings....they are soooo addictive!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I learned that she is quite an amazing blogger AND a great photographer!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I am a Google Friend Connect follower!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

brokenteepee said...

The fake tan/tutu photo is hysterical!
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I follow on the google and have for a while. I hope you reach your goal.
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/7448202168
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Kim said...

I have loved her website for ages but the thing that caught me from the beginning is her lovely photography and sense of humor.
I would love this book!
*smiles*
Kim

kimmery4(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kim said...

I follow you through google friend connect and in my google reader.

*smiles*
Kim

Kim said...

I am putting this give-away up on my sidebar list of give-aways!
*smiles*
Kim

Cheryl said...

Something I found out on her website is that not only is she a gifted cook and blogger, but she is also gifted in photography. She takes some of the most gorgeous pictures. Also, I can't wait for her new book release.

Cheryl said...

Tweeted this giveaway

http://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/7453644172

Cheryl said...

I am a follower on Google Friends Connect.

Marian Perera said...

Not entering the contest - just wanted to say that "whiskey cream sauce" sounds delicious, but "frying calf nuts" does not. :)

Libby's Library said...

OMGosh - love the recipes, have used her suggestions for home school curriculum materials, giveaways aren't bad...but love the photo tips the best!

Thanks for this FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

throuthehaze said...

I think its interesting that she has kissed James Garner in an elevator once
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Benita said...

I love Ms. Drummond's photography Icy Fog on her website.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I am a Google Connect Follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I found it interesting that she perfers to post phots of cows and children and such instead of photos of herself. Myself I don't like to have my photo taken either! I love to collect cookbooks and this one will be awesome!

I am a new follower!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

Google Friend Connect - THANKS!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Lacey said...

She has four children and two brothers..

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/7455771119

tweet

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

Lacey said...

google friend follower

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

Angie said...

Wow! Her blog is hilarious (and I loved the pictures)

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

Angie said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

Unknown said...

I found that she is a mom and does book tours and still manages to regularly update her site.

shopgurl101 AT gmail DOTcom

Unknown said...

I Follow this blog

shopgurl101 AT gmail DOTcom

Libby's Library said...

Blogged it here:

http://www.blogger.com/publish-confirmation.g?blogID=5502520498196615275&postID=6182348512936683794&timestamp=1262825004431&javascriptEnabled=true

Oh I've gotten win this one!!!!!!!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Susan O'Bryant said...

Her whole life is just adorable and wonderful and is my idea of the American Dream.

susanaudrey316 at gmail dot com

Susan O'Bryant said...

I am a follower via Google Friend Connect.

susanaudrey316 at gmail dot com

Susan O'Bryant said...

I'm posting this giveaway on my sidebar here:

http://alltheprettypages.blogspot.com/

susanaudrey316 at gmail dot com

Carol W. said...

I found that Ree is quite an accomplished woman. Not only is she a cook worthy of sharing her cooking stories and recipes, but she is also a skilled photographer, gardener, and blogger (and who knows what else!)

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

For someone who doesn't want/like to post pics of herself, she photgraphs beautifully! And I love the B&W pic of her when she's little.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I'm a loyal google friend connect follower. Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Great giveaway. Thanks. Her background about her meetingher husband is interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I subscribe via e-mail. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

The PW is 41 toady, Jan. 6th, Happy Birthday!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Zia said...

I so would love this book.

+1 I found the working ranch 101 fascinating.

Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

Zia said...

+1 I'm a follower

Linda Kish said...

She writes with such humor. And I love the basset.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Esme said...

I follow her sight-her photography is really amazing and she seems like such a positive individual-love that the kids were rocking out to the NPR music. I have had my eye on this one THANK YOU

chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I love the pictures she posted of herself. She is so pretty. I love all of her recipes.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Unknown said...

I'm a follower.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Unknown said...

I tweeted. http://twitter.com/amandawk/status/7480585800
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Jodi said...

I love that she shares some of her gorgeous photography. I have one of her shared pictures as my desktop on my computer, it is gorgeous!

purehrt555(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalynnick said...

I found interesting is that Dulce de Leche coffee drink is a late afternoon drink and contains Kahlua.

I'm follower!

kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

I love that she shares her Lodge remodel with us.

readingatthebeach (@) gmail (.) com

Anonymous said...

I posted this giveaway on my sidebar HERE

readingatthebeach (@) gmail (.) com

Anonymous said...

I'm a Google Friend Connect follower

readingatthebeach (@) gmai (.) com

Bonnie said...

I find it amazing that she is so well rounded and does so many things...cooking, blogging, photography, writing cookbooks, homeschooling and more!

redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Bonnie said...

I'm a google friend connect follower.

redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Bonnie said...

I blogged about this in my sidebar under Other Cool Blog Giveaways.

http://redladysreadingroom-redlady.blogspot.com/

redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Lori said...

I am on with Google

dlsmith44@msn.com

Unknown said...

I found it interesting, after seeing her book, that her site isn't designed in a similar fashion! The site is very calm and cool while the book is all warm and cozy!

Unknown said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/miscmayzee/status/7513565155

Unknown said...

I am a google friend now!

bison61 said...

she wrote about the love story between her and her husband

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Caroline said...

I really like the recipe for Chocolate and White Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes.

design4less@yahoo.com

Esme said...

cococroissants

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/01/pioneer-woman-cooks-review-and-giveaway.html

chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

I follow

chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I first saw thi book on the blog and then leafed through it at the library - this Marlboro Man but really be something else as I don't think I would live where she is. It's a great idea to wind her story with the recipes. It's a great idea for a couple or to do a project like this for your children. I hear you can get a book bound fairly cheaply at lulu.com - I just want to be able to make those bisquits that actually rise!

SusieQ @ Hinson

RAnn said...

I read her blog. I like the way she seems to be able to let others see her life without too much compromising her family's privacy.

RAnn said...

I blogged http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2010/01/from-my-reader.html

RAnn said...

I'm a follower

DarcyO said...

I enjoyed her birthday conversation with her brother and the pictures of her from throughout the years. I'd love to meet her. She sounds like a fun pioneer woman.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/7561611777

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

janetfaye said...

I love her website and her photography is interesting. She is a fascinating person.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I follow with GFC - janetfaye

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I blogged:
http://blog-giveaways.blogspot.com/2010/01/pioneer-woman-cooks-review-and-giveaway.html

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Cheffer said...

I love how she has step by step directions and pictures for her recipes! I am trying her Dulche de Leche coffee tonight!

Fourevermandm@aol.com

Cheffer said...

I am an old follower from google friend connect Good luck at 600!!!


Fourevermandm@aol.com

Unknown said...

I like the photography. Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I follow with google reader

Toni said...

I'd love a chance. Of course I follow this blog. I love her Bassett Hound first and foremost and everything about her blog..the kids..the food..I love it all. Thanks for this chance.
tonigomez (at) surewest (dot) net

photoquest said...

I love the photography of her family and animals. I am a photographer myself so found these beautiful! I also loved the animated cow : )
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

photoquest said...

I am a follower and would love to win this awesome book!! one of my resolutions was to cook more and have more family time so this would fit in wonderful : )
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Ladytink_534 said...

I love all the photos on her blog! She seems like she has a great sense of humor.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

Long time follower

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Terri said...

I like the photos of the farm work and the animals. Of course, Ree's commentary adds the perfect finishing touch to it all.

Terri said...

Tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/Dahbou/status/7638044967

Terri said...

I'm a Google friend!

dogwood said...

She takes beautiful photos... and her recipes never fail. I made some monkey muffins just yesterday that were outstanding!

sallybway at suddenlink dot net

dogwood said...

I follow with google!

sallybway at suddenlink dot net

KayeDean said...

I love her recipes, photography, and her stories about Marlboro Man and her great sence of humor.
sandym204 @ gmail dot com

KayeDean said...

I am a GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT FOLLOWER.
sandym204 @ gmail dot com

Edna said...

I like that she really followed through and tested all those receipes, I would have collasped'

I follow her on goggle blog

I follow her on twitter and tweeted about the book

I talked about this book on my blog
http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Veronica said...

What I love the most about her site and her that that she is true to herself, very caring and I love the fact that her recipes are tried & true. Thanks for a great giveaway :)

Veronica said...

I follow you via Google Friends Connect, thanks!

Pamela said...

I think her website helps give her an authentic voice for her book. I've been wanting this one!

Pamela said...

I think her website gives her an authentic voice for her book.


pj_kuhn AT comcast DOT net

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting and funny that she posts frequent audio clips of her children mispronouncing simple words and of her doing Ethel Merman impersonations.

SamneneD@aol.com

Unknown said...

I found it interesting that she posts on it almost everyday and homeschools her children.

shopgurl101@gmail.com

Unknown said...

follower

shopgurl101@gmail.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/7852607037 tweet

shopgurl101@gmail.com

debijackson said...

The photography was amazing as were the anedotes on family jacksond@nhr3.net

debijackson said...

blogg follower

DEBIJOT said...

They have a bassett hound named Charlie.

DEBIJOT said...

google friends connect follower

clenna said...

I love Ree's stories of Home and Garden, Photography, Confessions, Home schooling, and Cooking. Her stories about her kids and her life on the ranch are great. It is so easy to relate to her.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I'm a follower.

clenna at aol dot com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

When I saw that Pioneer Woman had a gross out stories section, I had to check it out (who doesn't love a good gross out story?)! For Xmas 2006, she bought her daughter a Barbie and Tanner (Barbie's dog) set. The dog comes with food and a dish and a trash can and pooper scooper. You may ask, why the pooper scooper. Well, after you feed the dog the food, it comes out the other end. Yes, you lift his tail and he poops! Too funny! Stop by over there and read her post...hilarious!

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I am a loyal follower via Google Friend Connect.

I forgot to leave my email address on my other comment. Here it is:

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

thanks for the giveaway!

Amy L said...

I love her blog, especially the Cooking section. She uses lots of pictures, so you can see how to make a recipe step-by-step. The Italian Meatball Soup and Mocha Pie on her latest posts both look yummy!
aleach6179 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

Amy L said...

I'm following you on Google Friend Connect

Amy L said...

I follow you on Twitter & Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/amylou61/status/8024918460

sunnymum said...

Her recipes sound great! I also smiled to find a little section on her website dedicated to Charlie. My favorite is the post called "Anatomy of a Basset" in which she lovingly chronicles his features.
cbeargie at yahoo.com

sunnymum said...

Following on google friends.

Birdie S. said...

They rebuilt their LODGE- where they met & fell in love .......together & lives to tell about it birdson@roadrunner.com

Birdie S. said...

I follow U on GFC birdson@roadrunner.com

Arlene Mobley said...

I love Ree's blog. I've been a reader for a while now. What I really love is her down home cooking style.

arlene9999@earthlink.net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY