Cowgirl Cuisine: Rustic Recipes and Cowgirl Adventures from a Texas Ranch

by Paula Disbrowe

“One of the most entertaining Texas cookbooks I’ve seen in a long time.”  ― Patricia Sharpe, Texas Monthl y Four years ago, food writer Paula Disbrowe left her urbane life as a food writer in New York City to become the chef on a ranch in Texas Hill Country. Armed with boots, a cowboy hat, a pick-up, and a horse, she began to redefine her life and the cuisine she served on the range. Part cookbook, part adventure tale, Cowgirl Cuisine tells the story of her transition in and out of the kitchen. Melding the author’s passion for fresh, simple Mediterranean fare with the local ingredients and cooking traditions of South Central Texas, it offers food that is fresh, filling, and easy to prepare. From hearty ranch breakfasts, to big-hearted salads, to belt-busting burgers, and killer watermelon margaritas, the recipes are full of Disbrowe’s signature zest, spunk, and spice.
Throughout, she introduces us to the unforgettable characters (both two- and four-legged) who populate this wild, beautiful land and shares her outrageous ranch escapades (a showdown with wild pigs, runaway donkeys, and one very macho cowboy). As deliciously filling for the mind as it is for stomach, Cowgirl Cuisine reminds us the joys of living life to the fullest.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great cookbook --- well, if you love meat! We've used several of the recipes in the past month and loved them all. This week was a chili made with ground turkey, pablano and jalepeno peppers - 24 sage leaves and bay leaves from our garden! If you like the flavors of the southwest, this is definitely worth a look!

[Michelle M. Mitza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read and pretty simple recipes

I enjoyed the book, the story of their transition from city to ranch. Seems they found the way to live. I've bookmarked several recipes to try.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting salsa recipes

interesting herbs added, or a touch of cane sugar
well chosen chili pepper varieties for different flavor profiles

[Tina]

The author sprinkles stories of living in the Texas Hill Country in between recipes, which makes it an interesting cookbook to read if you like reading about Texas and ranches.

[Angie D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really yummy recipes, but I would classify these recipes as "gourmet". In other words, it either a) takes too long to make the recipe (has too many steps) or b) the recipe uses waaaayyy too many ingredients to make it worth my time and effort. It could be that I am lazy, but I was looking for something yummy to make that wouldn't put me out too much. The pictures in this book were nice, though!

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checked this out from the library and going to purchase it. I love cookbooks and this one has it all; great recipe photos, interesting slants on the recipes, not one or two, but many many yummy sounding recipes.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook came to me - I didn't seek it out (I won in through a food blog or something). That said, I really liked it. The essay portions are a little stale (big city girl adjusts to country life), but the photos are gorgeous, and the recipes that I've tried so far have been very good.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading this cookbook cover to cover. There are funny stories throughout about this Manhattan writer with a background in cooking who left the Big Apple to become a ranch owner in the Texas Hill Country. The photography is lovely. The recipes look good- but I haven't tried any yet.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I can legitimately say I read this book - even if it is a cookbook. It hasn't left my kitchen counter since I brought it home. Yum. I'm craving the enchiladas right now....

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just because she used to edit my articles doesn't mean she can't cook. try the whiskey coffee roast.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photos, writing great, graphic design in book fun, but talk about gourmet! Way too expensive and labor intensive for me.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. However don't expect traditional Texas recipes. This cowgirl is from New York City and the recipes reflect it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to make the roasted tomato soup. The chicken enchiladas look yum. Liked the book . . . recommend.

[Rebecca Tolley · Rating 3 out of 5]

read my review at my food blog: http://www.potlikkery.com/2007/05/suc...