Ep 13. Family Favorites

In season 3 episode 13 of The Pioneer Woman, titled "Family Favorites," host Ree Drummond prepares some of her family's favorite meals for her husband and children. Ree begins by sharing her recipe for mac and cheese, a classic comfort food that her kids love. She starts by boiling pasta and then creates a creamy cheese sauce using milk, butter, flour, and grated cheddar cheese. She combines the sauce with the cooked pasta and bakes it in the oven until it's bubbly and golden brown.

Next up is a dish that Ree's husband Ladd loves, chicken fried steak. Ree explains that this dish is a Southern favorite and typically consists of a thin piece of beef that's coated in seasoned flour, fried, and served with white gravy. She starts by pounding out thin slices of steak and then dredges them in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper. She fries the steaks in hot oil until they're crispy and golden brown. For the white gravy, she uses the pan drippings from the fried steaks, whisking in milk and a little more flour to create a creamy sauce.

For a side dish, Ree makes her mother's recipe for fried potatoes. She starts by slicing potatoes thinly and then frying them in a cast-iron skillet with bacon grease until they're crispy and browned. She sprinkles them with salt and pepper before serving.

The final dish is a dessert that Ree's daughter loves, chocolate peanut butter pie. To make the crust, Ree combines crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter, pressing the mixture into a pie dish. For the filling, she makes a ganache by heating heavy cream and chopped chocolate together until the chocolate is melted and smooth. She pours the ganache into the crust and then adds a layer of peanut butter whipped cream on top. The pie is finished with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts.

Throughout the episode, Ree reminisces about how these dishes have become family favorites over the years. She explains that cooking for her family is one of her biggest joys and that sharing meals together is an important part of their daily routine. She encourages viewers to try these recipes with their own families, emphasizing that food has the power to bring people together and create cherished memories. Overall, "Family Favorites" is a heartwarming episode that celebrates the importance of family, tradition, and good home cooking.