Ep 12. Kitchen Confessional

In this episode of The Pioneer Woman, season 9 episode 12 entitled "Kitchen Confessional," Ree Drummond invites viewers into her kitchen to share some of her favorite recipes and kitchen tips. The episode begins with Ree reflecting on her life before she became a food blogger and television personality, describing her early days as a newlywed living on a remote ranch in Oklahoma. Ree reveals that she had no idea how to cook when she got married, and had to learn everything from scratch with the help of her mother-in-law, Nan.

Ree goes on to share some of her favorite recipes with viewers, starting with her simple but delicious tomato soup. She takes viewers step-by-step through the process of making the soup, from roasting fresh tomatoes to blending them with cream and spices for a rich and comforting soup that's perfect for rainy days. Ree also shares her recipe for classic chicken fried steak, a southern favorite that's crispy, flavorful, and satisfying. She shows viewers how to make a homemade gravy to go with the steak, using the drippings from the pan and a few simple ingredients like butter, flour, and milk.

Throughout the episode, Ree invites viewers to submit their own kitchen confessions, sharing tales of cooking disasters, triumphs, and everything in between. Some viewers confess to burning their food, accidentally serving undercooked dishes, or relying too heavily on frozen meals. Others share stories of family traditions, like tamales made from scratch every Christmas, or the perfect peach cobbler recipe that's been passed down for generations. Ree responds to each confession with encouragement and advice, reminding viewers that cooking is all about trial and error, and that everyone has their own rhythm in the kitchen.

As the episode draws to a close, Ree surprises viewers with one more recipe: her famous cinnamon rolls. These giant, fluffy rolls are made with a rich yeast dough and filled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. Ree shows viewers how to roll out the dough, spread the filling, and cut the rolls into perfect rounds. She also shares her secret for making the rolls rise just right, revealing that she pops them into a cold oven with a pan of hot water to create a warm, humid environment that helps the dough to expand.

Overall, "Kitchen Confessional" is a warm and welcoming episode of The Pioneer Woman that invites viewers to come into Ree Drummond's kitchen and share some of the joys and challenges of cooking. With her easy-to-follow recipes and friendly demeanor, Ree makes even the most complex dishes seem achievable, and encourages viewers to keep experimenting and finding their own kitchen groove.