Great cookbooks are no longer limited to the commissioned writings of famous chefs or household TV personalities. The democratization of the cookbook (food52′s crowdsourced cookbook comes to mind) allows more people with a good story and recipe to get their works published.
I stumbled upon the Pioneer Woman’s blog while googling for Photoshop actions one afternoon, and I’ve been a devout fan since. Ree Drummond’s cookbook “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” was actually my first cookbook purchase in years. Worth it? I think so! Nothing like step-by-step photo tutorials of how to make some finger-licking, lip-smacking southern comfort cowboy food. Makes me want to take a trip down south to experience the real thing. Her food blog also offers countless recipes and gorgeous food photos to boot.
So I decided to try my hand at some of the dishes Pioneer Woman would serve to Marlboro Man and the kids. Nothing too heavy since I was still trying to get in shape for a Disney trip later in June (which, by the way, was fantastic fun. Didn’t actually go to any of the Disney parks but had a blast at Harry Potter World. More on that later).
Final choices? Huevos hyacinth for the appetizer and potato leek pizza for the main course. Can’t tear me away from the eggs or carbs :)
Ingredients:
2 thin slices ham or turkey
2 large eggs
2 tomato slices
Picante sauce (optional)
Butter
Salt
Black pepper
Crumbled goat cheese (or Monterey Jack)
Instructions:
1) Butter individual ramekins and place a piece of thinly sliced ham or turkey at the bottom. Add a tomato slice on top of the meat.
2) If you’re feeling spicy, use a couple tablespoons of picante sauce instead. I used both tomato slices and a few drops of Frank’s hot sauce.
3) Gently crack an egg over the top of each ramekin. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
4) Top each ramekin with ΒΌ cup grated cheese. Monterey Jack works nicely, but I used some of the leftover goat cheese from the potato leek pizza.
5) Broil for 2 to 4 minutes, removing when the yellow of the egg is still soft but not overly runny.
Serves two.
The egg whites came out too runny after 4 minutes, so I stuck the ramekins back under the broiler for a few more minutes. While tasty, I’m sad to say I wasn’t an immediate convert. There was too much liquid in my ramekin, a combination of the hardly-solidified egg white and juice from the tomato slice. Great flavor from the goat cheese and deli meat though. (Goat cheese, my new cheese love…)
Had much better results with the potato leek pizza though..here’s a preview of what’s to come next post:
YUM. Carbs upon carbs galore. Hallelujah :D
And what of my Disney trip? Let’s just say there’s no place I’d rather be right now than on the warm Miami sands, sipping my mojito and enjoying the cool breeze from the water. Best mojitos I’ve ever had by the way. If you ever find yourself in Miami Beach, check out Ola! Delicious Cuban food, delicious drinks. Some photos of Miami…
First night – Laying by the infinity pool at The Delano Hotel.
Staying classy. Canned Coronas and mojitos on the beach.
Are they shooting a commercial or an adult film? (the guys like to imagine the latter)
No! Don’t wanna leave the beach yet :(
I've been told that a certain smile breaks across my face whenever the subject of food is brought up, a smile that radiates the purest forms of delight and happiness. Food transcends beyond the smell and taste of what's presented in front of me; it's an experience to be enjoyed, indulged, shared with those I love. Working and living in NYC continually opens culinary doors, from hole-in-the-walls to upscale (even stuffy) dining. I never take any morsel of food for granted, and I'm often THAT girl at the table found licking her plate at the end of the meal.
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Beautiful pic of the infinity pool by night with the moon in the backgound! Nice bikini on the beach too :)
Thank you! Just imagine how gorgeous it was to be there