The Pioneer Womans's Cookbook

I love The Pioneer Women. What's not to love? Ree Drummond lives out west on a cattle ranch, she has cute bunch of kids, a handsome husband, and a sweet dog, She also cooks, blogs, home schools and finds time to document it with her Nikon. She does it all with a sense of humor and a beautiful smile. I don't have time to read about all she does, it makes me wonder how she has the time to do it. She just published her beautiful cookbook, The Pioneer Women Cooks.
The pictures are beautiful (of course, she's perfect!) and look yummy.
My son decided he wanted to have Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich and of course the Onion Strings. They were easy to prepare, in fact I set up everything, went to work and left it all for Emmett to cook. He did a terrific job. The meal was delicious and the recipes worked, and that the best thing you can say about a book.
So if you want to live in Ree's skin for a few hours, love cowboy food, or just like the sound of it, pick up Ree's new cookbook. It will knock your cowboy boots off!
The Pioneer Women Cooks

This is the closest I get to the country.......
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Eureka! Lynn is Blogging!

I know you have all heard me gush about Lynn, Jardins des Thevenets and the wonderful time we have with our Cooking and French Culture Get Aways. Well I just can't get enough of her fabulous cooking, wonderful B&B and her over the top personality. Now you can get to know her better also. Visit her blog at Autour de la table d'hote, I know you will grow to love her as much as I do! Besides her recipes and cooking style is to die for!
We are planning another Cooking and Cultural Get Away in April. We will keep you posted!
Lynn and Annalise "harvesting" ripe figs for our personal enjoyment.
Lynn and her beloved Olivier.Bottling water at the source.
The Glamor Girl unloading fire wood.
All text and photos are property of The Gypsy Chef.

Roasted Wax Beans with Pancetta

I love wax beans. I ate them as a child on my Great Grandfathers farm. Back then they were cooked with a ham hock, well water and salt. There was something about that salty pork flavor that I loved.
Now I eat them roasted in olive oil, pancetta, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. I just couldn't give up the pork flavor. My kids eat them like candy.
It's a simple recipe. Just break the ends, toss them in olive oil, chopped pancetta and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Roast in the oven about 25 minutes on 400 degrees F until golden and fragrant.
Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy. They a terrific accompaniment to grilled meats or fish. Any leftovers can be tossed with a vinaigrette for a light salad first course. My daughter carries the leftovers to school for a lite and healthy lunch.
This recipe also works well with Brussel Sprouts.
My son swears they look like french fries.
Wax Beans with Pancetta

1 pound wax beans, stem end snapped
4 ounces pancetta, diced, the larger the pieces the more robust the flavor
3 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
Freshly chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Toss beans, pancetta, olive oil, salt and pepper together. Be sure to thoroughly coat the beans.
Pour onto a baking pan and roast in the oven 25 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.

All pictures and text are sole property of The Gypsy Chef