My Prairie Cookbook (33 page)

My very first thank-you goes out to my childhood friend Collette Wolas. When we were about eight years old, she taught me how to make scrambled eggs—delicious scrambled eggs with a little bit of garlic powder in them.

Next, I must thank my sweet mother, for whom I made the eggs the following Mother's Day. As I was making them, I figured, if a little garlic powder was good, then a half a bottle would be even better. Bless her heart. She ate the eggs, every last bite, telling me how delicious they were. My first rave review as a chef!

Next I must thank my grandfather, Harry Crane, for eating and enjoying my first experimental quesadillas. He loved them, and that helped to build my confidence as a cook even more.

To my beloved husband and children, who inspire me to create sumptuous meals for them. There are no accolades as meaningful as you around the table, loving what I've cooked. As I fill your tummies, you fill my heart. Forever love, my family . . . forever love.

To my best friend, Sandy Peckinpah. My soul sister. The best chef I've ever known, bar none. Cooking with you all these years has been a joy and an inspiration. Your friendship is my safe place. You truly are a blessing to all around you. And yes, I promise to let you teach me your brilliant piecrust. I think it's about time, don't you?

To Jennifer Levesque, Valerie Cimino, Holly Dolce, Sarah Massey, and everyone who was and is at Abrams. You all worked so hard and so long to help make my vision of the book a reality. And what fun we all had in the process! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Karen Schaupeter, Dane Holweger, Chris Nowling, Kevin Scott, and Lauren Machen, who prepared my recipes and photographed them, me, and my family so beautifully. Those three days we worked together were such fun and so yummy!

Vivian Turner, thank you, as always, for dressing me impeccably for that shoot. Hard to believe that we've been working together for nearly three decades, since we are still only in our twenties! I love you, sweet Viv!

Amanda Benzaken, thank you for your extraordinary job with my hair and makeup. You made me feel beautiful that day.

To my literary agent, Dan Strone. I am so grateful to have you involved in my career as a writer. Your guidance and enthusiasm for my ideas are always greatly appreciated.

I owe a long-standing debt of gratitude to my publicists, Ame Van Iden and Janet Ringwood at PMK*BNC. Thanks lady-faces . . . not only for working so hard but for all the years of friendship, protection, support, loyalty, and laughter.

Marc Schwartz, your unwavering enthusiasm and support though the course of this project will not be forgotten.

To my amazing friends, who have shared so much with me. Some of my very favorite times have been when we all get together and cook huge, sumptuous meals. I love you all so much.

To the dear fans of
Little House on the Prairie
. It has been my honor to spend all of these years with you. Thank you for your love, loyalty, and support.

And finally, I must thank my “Prairie” family: Mike, Karen, Kent, Sue, Victor, Maury, Hank, Uncle Miles, Alison, Rachel, Jack, Ron H., Ron C., I. W., Jerry, Richalene, Linda, Whitey, Teddy, Larry, C. T., Gladys, Lonny, Mrs. Minniear, Mrs. Fife, Matt, Frank, Pat, Brian, Kyle, Ruthy, Dean B., Dean W., Hersha, Charlotte S., Charlotte R-Y., Mary, Kenny, Erika, Radames, Lillian, Vince, Steve, Brad, David, Paula, Mike M., Mike T., Burkey, Lucy-Lee, Andy, Buzzy, Scottie, Bill C., Bill S., Stan, Reid, Glen, Richard, Bear, Dick, Merlin, Dallas, Pamela, Karl, Linwood, Deb, Kevin, Dabbs, Ketty, Dub, Brenda, Wendy, Lindsay K., Leslie, Mike Jr., Brianne, Marvin, Jason, Matt J., Melissa F., Allison B., Luke, Robin . . . and the list goes on and on. Please forgive me if there are names missing. It's not that I've forgotten any of them; it's just that if I wrote them all, this book would be as long as
War and Peace
.

You people raised me. Taught me so much of what I know professionally and personally. Your love for me was and is palpable. Each of you left an indelible mark on my heart.

I love you all so much and will always, always be . . .

A

Amanda's Chunky Eggs

apple(s)

muffins

sausage with

applesauce

Arngrim, Alison

Asian Glazed Carrots

“At the End of the Rainbow” episode

B

banana pudding

barley soup

beans

baked

green, sweet-and-sour

béchamel sauce

beef

chili

steak, chicken-fried

steak and potato pie

stew

The Best Banana Pudding

Best Stuffing Ever

Big Ol' Blueberry Muffins

biscuits, stovetop

“Bless All the Dear Children”

episode

Bonanza

Borgnine, Ernest

Bouquet Garni

bread

corn, with scallions

dinner rolls

fig-date-nut

ginger

multigrain

popovers

Broccoli-Cheddar Bake

brussels sprouts, sautéed

Bull, Richard

“Bunny” episode

butter

clarified

herb

sauce

Butter Tarts

Butternut Squash Soup

C

cake

carrot

frostings for.
see
frosting

spice

strawberry

Candied Yams

carrot(s)

cake

glazed

minty peas and

catfish

“The Cheaters” episode

cheese

broccoli bake

macaroni and

Chess Pie

chicken

dumplings and

fried with pan gravy

potpie

roast

sherry vinegar sauce with

soup

Chicken-Fried Steak with Cream Gravy

chili, spicy beef

Classic Dinner Rolls

cobbler, peach

Colonel Sanders

cookies

cowboy

gingersnaps

molasses

oatmeal

corn, fried

Corn and Vidalia Onion Salad

Corn Bread With Scallions

Corn Chowder

Cornmeal Fried Catfish

“Country Girls” episode

Cowboy Cookies

Cream Gravy

Creamed Spinach with Bacon and Shallots

Crispy Chicken with Sherry Vinegar Sauce

Crispy Home Fries

Cucumber-Dill Salad

D

“Dark Sage” episode

“Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow” episode

Different-Every-Time Baked Beans

dumplings

E

Easy Peasy Split Pea Soup with Ham

egg(s)

casserole, with sausage

chunky

creamy

vegetable soufflé

“The Enchanted Cottage” episode

F

Fancy Beef Stew

Favorite Macaroni and Cheese

Fig-Date-Nut Bread

fish

catfish

trout

“For My Lady” episode

“Freedom Flight” episode

French, Victor

French Bread French Toast

fritters, zucchini

frosting

carrot cake

spice cake

strawberry cake

G

General Gilbert's California

Fried Chicken with Pan Gravy

Gilbert Family Meat Loaf

gingerbread

Gingersnap-Pumpkin Pie

gingersnaps

Good Old Rice Pudding

Grandma Beetsie's Chicken Soup

Grassle, Karen

gravy

chicken pan

cream

sausage, with biscuits

green beans, sweet-and-sour

Greeny McGreen Green Salad

H

“The Halloween Dream” episode

ham

baked

casserole with scalloped potatoes

split pea soup with

Herb Butter

“His Father's Son” episode

“Home Again” episode

Homemade Sausage with Apples

I

“I Do, Again” episode

Individual Chicken Potpies

K

Kelly's Creamy Eggs

Kentucky Fried Chicken

L

lamb

rack of

shepherd's pie

Landon, Michael

as friend/father figure

ping-pong and

as producer/director

lasagna

“The Last Farewell” episode

Lemony Baked Ham

Lilley, Jack

“Little Girl Lost” episode

Little House: A New Beginning

Little House on the Prairie

appeal of

bloopers on

books vs. series

cancellation of

early years of

favorite episodes of

food and

last day of filming

later years of

life after

pilot movie (1973)

questions about

through the years

Little House: The Last Farewell

“Look Back to Yesterday” episode

“The Lord Is My Shepherd” episode

M

macaroni and cheese

MacGregor, Scottie