Balancing Motherhood's Gift Guide 2010: The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Item number 2 on my list, not in any order of course, is a wonderful cookbook that would be enjoyed equally by a seasoned chef or a complete novice: “The Pioneer Woman Cooks.”

I’ve been reading ThePioneerWoman.com for some time now and I am continually amazed at her culinary skills. Last year I received her cookbook as a Christmas gift from my mother. I had wanted the book, but didn’t know what to expect. I had stopped requesting cook books as gifts becasue I just don’t have room on my shelves for them anymore. For this one, I made an exception. Originally, I thought I would browse through it and then, eventually, give it away. Well, I still have that book and keep making dishes from it.

Why, just last night I went to a girls night out at a friend’s house. In her email invitation she said that it would be pot luck, but that there was no sign up sheet so that we wouldn’t complicate things. Brilliant, but what do I bring? I resorted to The Pioneer Woman and decided to make her potato skins. I’ve made them before and they are wonderful creations.

In the late ’80s I worked at a restaurant with accompanying bar. The bar food was amazing and one of my favorite appetizers were their cheesy potato skins. When I made The Pioneer Woman’s skins I was brought back to my high school years immediately. The cheesy goodness, crisp bacon pieces and dollop of sour cream and chives were a perfect recreation of this one-time favorite.

But, she’s got so many more wonderful recipes in her cook book. I’ve made several recipes from her site as well as the cook book and it’s all wonderful. Amazingly wonderful. Did I just say wonderful that many times?

I’m sure the cook you give this delightful book will thank you — and maybe he or she will make you something from it one day (ask for the mocha brownies!) and then you’ll really be glad you bought this book as a gift!

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