Hey guess what? In TWO DAYS I get to meet the Pioneer Woman herself at her book signing in Charlotte. PW! 20 minutes away! In 2 Days! I never thought when I started doing all this cooking that I’d actually get to meet her. In those days, all her book tours were out west and I was sure she’d never come East. So glad I was wrong. I can not wait to tell her face to face how she changed my life. And I don’t say that lightly. I do not look at cooking the same way I did 4 months ago.
The other night I had cooked dinner and stuck some of her oatmeal cookies in the oven while we ate. We were eating one of the cookies after dinner and Scott said, “Well, you’re just turning into a regular mommy.” I pretended to take offense to that. But I knew what he meant. I have fond memories of my Mom’s home cooked meals every night and I know he does too. I can’t wait to thank PW in person for helping me create those memories for our girls. And yes, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a little tear in my eye at the table with her. Gah! I must think of something funny to say! I do want to take her a gift in appreciation. Anyone have a good idea?
Potato Leek Pizza
I should have included this in last week’s but I completely forgot it (probably because I forgot to take a picture )! And I’m so bummed I forgot it because this pizza was super yummy! I’ve never cooked with a leek before. In fact, the only way I knew what it was and how to use it was I saw I think Rachel Ray or Giada or maybe that big guy with the kitchen show on Food Network using one. Obviously my memory is not serving me well. In any case, I wasn’t completely clueless when I chopped the leeks for the pizza. More than just unknown veggies on a pizza though, I was a little concerned about putting uncooked slices of potatoes without any sauce. But alas, I shouldn’t have worried. This was a super yummy, very filling pizza. Scott liked it as well but we both agreed we still like the Tomato Basil one better. The kids always request the traditional pizza when I make one of the “fancy” ones but they tried a bite or two and liked it.
I made the Pico de Gallo and the guacamole together. To make the guacamole, you just stick a bunch of Pico de Gallo in the mashed avacodo and stir it up so it would be kind of impossible to make guacamole without Pico de Gallo. It was comforting to see PW’s post included both as well even though they are very separate recipes in the cookbook. Look! We’re both smart!
With all the Mexican-ness going on, I made some rice and beans and put out some shells and had Mexican the other night for dinner. The Pico de Gallo was alright with chips. I still prefer salsa and/or cheese for my chips. I enjoyed it more as a topping on my taco. As for the guacamole, I usually only eat it as a topping and that I did. It was yummy and I felt very accomplished with homemade guacamole. So bottom line for us, I think these two things are more of a topping than a dip. They were both super easy to make and definitely made our tacos better. You should make some today for Cinco de Mayo! If I was super smart I would have waited!
We had a family friend over for dinner Saturday night whose family was out of town so I decided to do a PW dinner. I made meatballs and her homemade mashed potatoes and some corn. It was yummy. The meatballs were super easy to cook. The hardest part was browning them before baking them. That is to say, not too hard. I loved the onions in the sauce. The kids loved it, our guest loved it and we loved it. These are definitely going on my rotation list. Also, they went so fast I forgot to take a picture. Head on over to PW’s site and amazingly, they look similar!
Only 8 more recipes I want to make!
Jenny O. says
So, while you're there tell her thanks from me to. And while you're at it, thank yourself for all of these great PW posts. I hadn't heard about her/blog before your posts and now her pizza crust is a STAPLE at our house and the Penne Betsy is my very fave meal. I credit her with teaching me, finally,to make a fab pasta. So, thanks to you both!
Jenny O. says
So, while you're there tell her thanks from me to. And while you're at it, thank yourself for all of these great PW posts. I hadn't heard about her/blog before your posts and now her pizza crust is a STAPLE at our house and the Penne Betsy is my very fave meal. I credit her with teaching me, finally,to make a fab pasta. So, thanks to you both!
Jenny O. says
So, while you're there tell her thanks from me to. And while you're at it, thank yourself for all of these great PW posts. I hadn't heard about her/blog before your posts and now her pizza crust is a STAPLE at our house and the Penne Betsy is my very fave meal. I credit her with teaching me, finally,to make a fab pasta. So, thanks to you both!
Jenny O. says
So, while you're there tell her thanks from me to. And while you're at it, thank yourself for all of these great PW posts. I hadn't heard about her/blog before your posts and now her pizza crust is a STAPLE at our house and the Penne Betsy is my very fave meal. I credit her with teaching me, finally,to make a fab pasta. So, thanks to you both!
bennettaj says
i was thinking about something with strawberries. maybe some jam or syrup but i'm not sure how that will work with traveling home for her.
Melissa says
Your blog posts to her are definitely a gift in and of itself! I've been meaning to look into her recipes after seeing you write about them. 🙂
Maybe take her something that represents a piece of the south – not sure what though …
Melissa says
Your blog posts to her are definitely a gift in and of itself! I've been meaning to look into her recipes after seeing you write about them. 🙂
Maybe take her something that represents a piece of the south – not sure what though …
Melissa says
Your blog posts to her are definitely a gift in and of itself! I've been meaning to look into her recipes after seeing you write about them. 🙂
Maybe take her something that represents a piece of the south – not sure what though …
Melissa says
Your blog posts to her are definitely a gift in and of itself! I've been meaning to look into her recipes after seeing you write about them. 🙂
Maybe take her something that represents a piece of the south – not sure what though …
bennettaj says
you are welcome!
bennettaj says
i was thinking about something with strawberries. maybe some jam or syrup but i'm not sure how that will work with traveling home for her.
bennettaj says
i was thinking about something with strawberries. maybe some jam or syrup but i'm not sure how that will work with traveling home for her.
bennettaj says
i was thinking about something with strawberries. maybe some jam or syrup but i'm not sure how that will work with traveling home for her.
Jenny O. says
Oh, peach stand has strawberry salsa!