Ep 3. Quick and Easy: Ranch Cookout

In the third episode of the twenty-second season of The Pioneer Woman, entitled "Quick and Easy: Ranch Cookout," food blogger and TV host Ree Drummond prepares a simple yet delicious outdoor meal for her family and friends. After a morning spent tending to her garden, Ree heads to the ranch to get cooking.

The menu for the day consists of a grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce, grilled corn with jalapeno butter, and a crispy potato salad. The recipes are all designed to be quick and easy, perfect for a casual summer cookout. Ree gets started by marinating the flank steak in a mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and herbs. She lets it sit for a few hours to absorb the flavors before firing up the grill.

While the steak cooks, Ree turns her attention to the corn. She shows us how to make a simple jalapeno butter by mixing chopped jalapenos with room temperature butter and a pinch of salt. She spreads the butter over the corn before grilling it to perfection.

For the potato salad, Ree opts for a crispy version that skips the usual mayonnaise-based dressing. Instead, she tosses the boiled potatoes with olive oil and garlic powder before roasting them in the oven until they're golden brown. She then adds chopped scallions, fresh herbs, and a dressing made with Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar.

As guests arrive at the ranch, Ree sets up a casual outdoor spread with a colorful tablecloth and plenty of chilled drinks. She serves the grilled flank steak sliced thin and topped with a vibrant green chimichurri made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, and lemon juice. The corn on the cob is a crowd favorite, with the spicy jalapeno butter adding just the right amount of kick. The crispy potato salad is a refreshing alternative to the heavier, mayo-laden version and pairs perfectly with the other dishes.

Throughout the episode, Ree shares her tips and tricks for making outdoor cooking a stress-free and enjoyable experience. She emphasizes the importance of marinating the steak to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness, as well as using a meat thermometer to cook it to the perfect temperature. She also shows how easy it is to make a compound butter like the jalapeno butter, which adds a tasty twist to a classic summer side dish.

The Pioneer Woman's twentieth-second season continues to showcase Ree Drummond's down-to-earth approach to cooking and entertaining. "Quick and Easy: Ranch Cookout" is a great reminder that delicious meals don't have to be complicated or time-consuming, and a little bit of planning can go a long way in making an outdoor gathering memorable.