Ep 11. California Cooking

In the season 28 episode 11 of The Pioneer Woman titled "California Cooking," Ree Drummond ventures out of her Oklahoma home and travels to California to experience new tastes, including avocados, sushi, and Mexican food. California's food culture offers a wide variety of flavors that Ree hasn't experienced before, and she's ready to experiment with new recipes for her family and viewers.

In this episode, Ree visits several local markets, where she picks up fresh California produce, including avocados, tomatoes, and cilantro. She starts her cooking adventure by preparing a classic guacamole recipe made with avocados, lime, red onion, and tomatoes. Ree also adds a spicy kick to the guacamole with diced jalapenos. She serves the guacamole with salty tortilla chips and encourages her viewers to try the recipe at home.

Next, Ree takes inspiration from the Asian flavors of California and creates a sushi board. She shows viewers how to make homemade sushi with cooked and raw shrimp, avocado, and cucumber. Ree rolls the sushi on a bamboo mat and cuts it into bite-size pieces. She also adds pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce to the sushi board. Ree's sushi board is a colorful and delicious option for parties or gatherings.

After exploring Asian flavors, Ree moves on to Mexican food. She creates a traditional Mexican street corn recipe with a California twist. She grills fresh California corn and brushes it with a mixture of butter, lime, garlic, and chili powder. Ree also makes a toppings bar, including crumbled queso fresco, chopped cilantro, and hot sauce, so her family and friends can customize their corn to their liking.

For a comforting and cozy meal, Ree creates a one-pot pasta dish with California flavors. She combines sausage, onion, and garlic with California tomatoes and chicken broth. She simmers the ingredients until the flavors marry and then adds pasta to the pot. Ree stirs in cream and basil and allows the pasta to cook until it is al dente. The result is a hearty and flavorful meal that is quick and easy to prepare.

Finally, Ree shows viewers how to make a California-inspired dessert, avocado ice cream. She blends together California avocados, heavy cream, and condensed milk until they form a smooth and creamy mixture. Ree also adds lime juice and lime zest to the mixture for a tart kick. She pours the mixture into a container and lets it freeze overnight. The next day, Ree scoops the ice cream into bowls and adds a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top.

"California Cooking" is a fun and adventurous episode that highlights Ree's love of exploring new food cultures. Her recipes are delicious and easy to follow at home, and her enthusiasm for new flavors is infectious. Whether you're a fan of Mexican food, sushi, or pasta, this episode has something for everyone.