The joy of cooking with her friends' cookbooks
For many home chefs, the joy of spending time in the kitchen is as much about community as it is about creating delicious meals. Even if you can't cook alongside others, perhaps due to distance, preparing dishes inspired by friends can be a meaningful experience. This is likely one of the many reasons why Ree Drummond cherishes cookbooks authored by her closest foodie friends. In an interview with Garden & Gun, she expressed, "I truly enjoy my friends' cookbooks: Gaby Dalkin, Maria Lichty, Deb Perelman, Joy Wilson; it feels like I'm spending time with them when I follow their recipes." Although each of Drummond's friends resides in a different state, their published culinary works provide a comforting and flavorful way to maintain connections.
Dalkin's five cookbooks, including "Absolutely Avocados," which focuses exclusively on the fruit, are brimming with California-inspired recipes. Lichty's debut cookbook, "Two Peas & Their Pod," features family-friendly recipes from her kitchen; Drummond has even praised it on Lichty's food blog of the same name. Perelman has released three cookbooks, with both her first ("The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook") and her latest ("Smitten Kitchen Keepers") making it onto the New York Times bestseller list. Lastly, Wilson's three cookbooks (and magazine) primarily focus on baked goods, though "Over Easy" encompasses a variety of brunch recipes. With the wealth of her friends' cookbooks, Drummond is well-equipped to create a delightful spread of dishes from breakfast to dessert.
The Pioneer Woman is a fan of the Barefoot Contessa
Not everyone has the luxury of being friends with several cooks who share their recipes online and in print, but you likely own a cookbook (or perhaps a whole collection) that makes you feel as if you're cooking with a pro. It could be a book by a celebrity chef or even one authored by Ree Drummond herself. However, even renowned figures like the Pioneer Woman have their culinary inspirations, and who better to admire than the Barefoot Contessa?
In reflecting on her favorite cookbooks, Drummond highlighted none other than Ina Garten, a cherished figure on the Food Network and a respected mentor for many culinary enthusiasts. She shared with Garden & Gun, "When it comes to a cookbook I truly relied on, 'Barefoot Contessa Family Style' was a beloved choice when my kids were young. I even wrote her a fan letter back then because her recipes were so reliable." Released in 2002, "Barefoot Contessa Family Style" is Garten's third cookbook, showcasing a variety of dishes that are favorites among her friends and family — and Ree Drummond as well. From her oven-roasted chicken to deep-dish apple pie (one of the many delightful desserts from the Barefoot Contessa), it’s no wonder these hearty, comforting meals resonate with the Pioneer Woman, known for her southern-style cooking and ranch life. While you can always turn to Drummond's cookbooks for meal ideas, the ones she recommends are certainly worth exploring for inspiration too.
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