Ep 12. 16-Minute Meals: Summer

In season 13 episode 12 of The Pioneer Woman, titled "16-Minute Meals: Summer," host Ree Drummond demonstrates how to whip up five delicious and easy-to-make summer meals in just 16 minutes each. The recipes feature fresh and seasonal ingredients such as zucchini, tomatoes, watermelon, and berries.

The first dish Ree makes is a Grilled Zucchini Ribbon Salad. She shows viewers how to slice the zucchini into thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler and then grills them until they're slightly charred. The zucchini ribbons are then tossed with a simple dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, and honey, and topped with crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts.

Next up is a BLT Salad, which Ree describes as a deconstructed BLT sandwich. She starts by crisping up bacon in a pan and then uses the bacon grease to make a quick and easy salad dressing. The salad is then assembled with lettuce, chopped tomatoes, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon, and the homemade dressing.

For her third meal, Ree makes a Watermelon Salad with Watercress and Feta. She shows viewers how to cut a watermelon into cubes and then layers it with fresh watercress and crumbled feta cheese. The salad is dressed with a mixture of honey, lime juice, and olive oil, making it a refreshing and light summer meal.

Ree's fourth recipe is a Grilled Chicken and Strawberry Salad. She starts by marinating chicken breasts in a mixture of oil, vinegar, garlic, and basil before grilling them. The chicken is then sliced and served on a bed of mixed greens and sliced strawberries, and topped with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Finally, Ree wraps up the episode with a recipe for Mixed Berry Shortcakes. She shows viewers how to make biscuits from scratch, which are then topped with a mixture of fresh berries and whipped cream. It's a simple and classic summer dessert that's perfect for entertaining or just indulging in a sweet treat.

Throughout the episode, Ree provides helpful tips and tricks for speeding up the cooking process and making the most of seasonal ingredients. The recipes showcased in "16-Minute Meals: Summer" are perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends spent enjoying the warm weather and all the fresh produce that comes with it. Whether viewers are looking for a quick and easy salad or a delicious dessert, this episode has something for everyone.