After visiting Pioneer Woman’s Ranch last month, I was determined to try out some of the beautiful and highly-touted recipes on her site. Before this single-mindedness set in, every time I’d get on her site I’d wander off in a completely divergent direction (taking notes in her photography section, laughing out loud at her ‘Confessions’ page or losing hours of my day reading her glorious tale of romance with Marlboro Man) and I’d, unconsciously, neglect the cooking section of her site.
Well, all that has changed. I am now a bona fide stalker of PW’s recipe section.
First I tried the Marinated Flank Steak, since flank steak is something I’ve been cooking since, well, since I could cook. But PW’s spin on it is outrageously delicious. Won’t be making flank steak the old way no’ mo’. Sorry Mom.
Next up was The Best Lasagna. Ever. PW’s words, not mine, but I’m now quite inclined to agree. So are my kids, who typically turn up their noses at most noodle recipes. The recipe makes a whole lotta food, but every last bit of leftovers got eaten up. Quite a triumph for any recipe in this house.
Then I tried something I’d long been missing. BBQ Meatballs. Now, I grew up in Atlanta, with a daddy that was born and raised in Alabama. We ate lots of good ol’ Southern comfort food. So when Chris and I married, him being from Texas and all, I assumed he’d have similar tastes. Not so. At least not where meatloaf and meatballs are concerned. I made the mistake of preparing meatballs one time since we’ve been married. That was about six months into marital bliss, and I haven’t broached the subject since then. How I have missed them. But PW’s recipe changed all that. Not only does Chris actually dig this wickedly- addictive- comfort- food- in- a- ball, but the kids do, too.
And then last week I made PW’s Ginger Steak Salad. I knew I’d be pushing it, since my boys’ turn green at the sight of greens. But not this time. In fact, Dalton has asked me about this salad almost daily since it was served… when we’re going to have it again. My only recommendation for making this meal is that you double the salad dressing portion. It’s that good.
So last night I veered from making either an old standby or a new PW recipe, and tried a new, non-PW recipe. You’d have thought I put dog food on the table. One child after the other turned to me, fork in hand, with an excuse for why they didn’t want to eat it. Even my sweet Sophie, who likes mushrooms, broccoli and capers, said she didn’t like “this stuff”. What??
I’ve decided my kids are spoiled. My husband is spoiled. I am now spoiled. Up this week are Pastor Ryan’s Pasta Carbonara and Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
Thank goodness PW has a cookbook on the way.
Anonymous says
Mmmm! I have made almost all of these as well. I would recommend mexican lasagna, spicy pulled pork (a main stay at our house), pan fried ribeye, garlic mashed potatoes, rolls!!!, cinnamon rolls… And, I am battling my weight this year… Is it 35 or, is it PW? I don’t care. My family makes fun of me, they say I’m obsessed with PW but, I don’t hear any complaining at the table either. Very interesting. ๐ Leigh
PS I tried the berries and cream you had while on the ranch. Delicious!
Mandi says
I am a bit like you. Everytime I get on PW’s site for recipes, I get side tracked with everything else. I have tried the flank steak (yummy) and the parmasean crusted chicken and it is to die for. You are gonna love it. My kids do.
Mandi
Patricia/NYC says
PW's recipes are FABULOUS!!! If you like eggplant, try her pasta & eggplant dish…DIVINE!!! After I made it, Frank told me it was like one of our favorite Italian restaurants…now, since we live in Manhattan, that is high flattery! ๐
Hmmmm…come to think of it, I better not make too many of those recipes…that might put a cramp in our going out to restuarants! ๐
Thanks for the heads up on these recipes! Will definitely try them!
BevS97 says
I’ve only tried the chicken scallopine, but it was delicious and the kids cleaned their plates (I made it with broth rather than wine). We have made it a few times, and it’s a definite hit.
Laura says
Thanks for the reviews! I’ve been too chicken (*cough* LAZY *cough*) to try her recipes, but will definitely try them now that I know how great they are!
TanyaLea says
Thanks to you, I have the same PW addiction! I hadn’t even heard about her until you won your fun trip to her ranch. Now I am hooked! Her “Most Favorite Burger Ever. For Now Anyways!” recipe is a favorite… you could impress guests with this one! (Though I’ve had to tweek it a bit for the kids.) But SO good!!
Fun post, Stefanie!! ๐ Have a blessed week!!
~Tanya~
Keri says
Try the chicken spaghetti. My family loves that one too.
Keri
Saucy says
I also have a recipe for the best lasagna ever! I will post it sometime and you and PW and I should all compare notes!
Our 7 Blessings from God says
PW’s chocolate cake. You HAVE to bake her chocolate cake. It is simply the most amazing, butter filled creation I’ve ever eaten. I’m no baker, but her step-by-step instructions are easy enough for even me to use.
Beach Mama says
I too have been dabbling with the PW’s recipes over the past few weeks. Everything I have tried is fantastic. Too good!
Amy says
I got hooked on PW’s recipes a few months back and cooked a ton of her of them. I also gained 10 pounds in the month long obsession of PW recipes. It was a glorious month though and my family still talks about it. I miss it. You made me miss it more. Oh the cinnamon rolls still plague me. My daughter and I made the whole recipe and froze them off into batches before baking..Now we pop a batch in on the weekends here and there.. Deee-vine!
PS, we will be in China at the same time! I leave the 2nd. Have a wonderful trip!
Jen says
I tried a recipe that involved chicken thighs once, and I did not like it.
Then I made the cowboy beans, and they didn’t turn out, either!
I also tried the MM sandwich, and didn’t like it ! It reminded me of why I don’t like cubed steak.
What’s wrong with me?
I do, however, like her recipe for thyme bread. Yummo. And the cream/berry dessert is wonderful.
Michelle says
Mmmmmmm…. Impressive. I just love looking at her site, but haven’t really tackled much. Lasagne is one of my favorites to make, so I’m going to have to try PW’s. I hadn’t seen that one. It looks yummy!!
babystepstoChina says
You really need to try the Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce with Pasta. It is not spicy at all, unless you add some spice like we do. Just add plenty of salt and if you love pasta, you’ll love this. Hubby and I added some baby scallops and it was fantastic!
Meg says
I’ve made the lasagna a couple times. It’s really good. I usually don’t make her recipes because they aren’t very low fat and I don’t even want to know what I’m missing. ๐ But, I do want to try the cinnamin rolls. I don’t really like garlic or onions, so that rules out a lot of her stuff, too. I love how easy she makes everything look.
By the way, I found you through her and I am so glad I did!
The Ferrill's says
Do you have room at your table for 9 or 10 more?
๐
Anonymous says
I found PW’s site when I first googled “Best Lasagna”. That was a while back. I just happened upon her romance novel and finished reading it tonight. Good stuff!! I’m trying Bakerella’s baking now…maybe I should double up and add PW’s recipes. Double spoilage!
Lisa
Tricia says
I would recommend the Ranch Style Chicken and Marlboro Man’s Favorite Sandwich. The New Fluffy Potatoes were yummy too.
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