October 23, 2008
The Pioneer Woman Makes Me Want to Cook
I used to talk to Tiffany a lot about hip new web sites or interesting blogs, or drone on about the latest techy thing. Then it dawned on me that while listening politely to my ramblings, I doubt she’s thinking about how ruggedly handsome or marlboro-manly I am. More than likely it’s how lovable and geeky I am. After all, one of her best friends’ husband is a firefighter. I mean, how do I compete with that? So now I try not to bore her with techie stuff. Instead, we talk politics and football. But I have to say, she’s still more than willing to bore me with her Food Network channel.
Well now I think my sweetie is secretly becoming a geek. She’s still in the closet, but every so often she peeks out her head.
For instance, yesterday she introduced me to a blog called The Pioneer Woman that’s really amazing. It’s written by a woman who lives in the country, says she’s married to the “Marlboro Man” and likes to cook “cowboy food.”
What drew Tiffany to this site were the incredible cooking examples. Instead of just giving you a typical recipe, the site’s author Lee Drummond brings you into her kitchen with beautiful, clear photos of every single step and sub-step of the cooking process. Take a look at her blackberry cobbler for example. She used 35 photos to illustrate the process!
Blackberry Cobbler
For visual learners like me, this is fantastic. In the past when I have followed a recipe, I’ve had the hardest time staying with it and not getting frustrated. It’s the same when I have written directions verses a map. Me and maps are perfect for each other. But give me written out directions and ask me to reverse. Ha! Be prepared to sit a spell while I sketch out a map. But when I look at these recipes, I think, “Wow! How easy would it be to make that olive cheese bread!” Tiffany was so excited to discover this site.
As a designer, the site is very well designed. She also gives some Photoshop and phtography tips and Twitters. So she may not be your typical country cook, but she sure has some delicious-looking, down-home recipes.
Marlboro Man’s Favorite Sandwich
I bet Tiffany is thankful she’s married to a country boy who can setup a wireless network. Because now she can take the Pioneer Woman’s web site with her to the kitchen. Yee Haa.
