Ep 14. 16 Minute Meals: Family Favorites

In season 15 episode 14 of The Pioneer Woman, titled "16 Minute Meals: Family Favorites," Ree Drummond shares some quick and easy meals that are perfect for busy weeknights. With her family's favorite recipes in mind, she makes dishes like burrito bowls and chicken soup, all of which take only 16 minutes to prepare.

The episode opens with Ree in her kitchen, looking through her pantry and fridge for inspiration. She explains that she's always on the lookout for quick and easy meals that she can make for her family, especially during busy weeks. She then introduces the first dish of the episode, a chicken and veggie stir-fry with noodles.

To make the stir-fry, Ree first cooks the noodles according to the package directions. While they're cooking, she sautés some sliced chicken breast in a hot pan with sesame oil. Once the chicken is cooked through, she adds chopped veggies like bell peppers and broccoli, along with some garlic and ginger. After a few minutes, she adds a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar to the pan, allowing it to simmer and thicken into a sauce. Finally, she tosses the cooked noodles into the pan and stirs everything together until well combined.

Next up, Ree makes a Mexican-inspired dish that is sure to be a crowd pleaser - cheesy beef enchiladas. She starts by browning some ground beef in a skillet, then adds a can of diced green chilies and some taco seasoning. She then assembles the enchiladas by spooning the beef mixture onto tortillas and rolling them up. She places the rolled tortillas in a baking dish, covers them with enchilada sauce and a generous amount of shredded cheese, and bakes them for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

For her third dish, Ree puts together a simple but hearty chicken and rice bowl. She starts by cooking some white rice, then tops it with slices of pan-seared chicken breast. She then adds some sliced avocado, chopped tomatoes, and a sprinkle of her homemade taco seasoning. She finishes off the dish with a dollop of sour cream and a squeeze of lime juice.

The final dish of the episode is a classic comfort food - chicken and dumplings. Ree starts by cooking some chicken thighs in a large pot with veggies like celery and carrots, along with some herbs and chicken broth. Once the chicken is cooked through, she removes it from the pot and shreds it into bite-sized pieces. She then uses a biscuit cutter to make dumplings out of refrigerated biscuit dough, which she drops into the pot of simmering broth. She covers the pot and allows the dumplings to cook for about 10 minutes, until they're fluffy and cooked through. She then adds the shredded chicken back into the pot, along with a splash of heavy cream and some chopped parsley.

Throughout the episode, Ree offers tips and tricks for making quick meals that are still full of flavor and nutrition. She emphasizes the importance of keeping staple ingredients on hand, like canned tomatoes and beans, so that you can easily throw together a meal with whatever ingredients you have on hand. She also encourages viewers to experiment with different flavor combinations and to make adjustments to suit their own tastes.

Overall, "16 Minute Meals: Family Favorites" is a fun and informative episode that showcases Ree's creativity and expertise in the kitchen. Fans of The Pioneer Woman are sure to enjoy learning new recipes and cooking techniques from their favorite hometown chef.