The Pioneer Woman - Season 1 (2011)

Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond's throwing open her Oklahoma ranch for a brand-new food series with juicy slices of frontier life. There's a quintessential ranch dinner, a dawn cattle gathering with the kids and cowboys, and rookie cowgirl Ree's facing two family challenges. With chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy with a city girl tomato salad on the side, as well as Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches and Sunrise Punch, it's going to be a mouthwatering feast of fabulous food and fun.

There's a big secret on the ranch. It's Todd's 7th birthday and the family is planning his first-ever surprise party. First the baby cowboy gets treated to his favorite lemon blueberry pancakes for breakfast, then it's a day of keeping mum as Ree conjures up a county birthday feast of Macaroni Cheese and juicy Sliders with a toppings bar. Then, stand by for the moment when Todd gets the surprise of his life. Well, if his brother hasn't let the cat out the bag.

There's a battle of the sexes going down on the ranch where the guys like their food brown and hearty. There's a blind taste test to see if punchy Penne alla Vodka can win a coveted spot on Ladd's approved list. Then when the guys are away, eating steak and potatoes, the girls will play, and Ree's throwing a cowgirl's dinner the guys would hate with elegant, sophisticated goat cheese with dill appetizers, chilled sangria, and a hip fig, prosciutto and arugula pizza. There's only one guy allowed and that's Charlie – he's always invited.

It's all about work, food and fun on the Pioneer Woman's ranch where she's cooking up a fabulous spicy Cajun pasta lunch for her hungry kids. Then, with the kids on a sleepover, it's a rare date night, frontier-style. Ree's rustling up his-and-her versions of Ladd's Favorite Sandwich and a Drummond classic, egg in the hole, for breakfast. But stand by for dinner and breakfast crashers, as well as a cool, refreshing Oklahoma-style cherry limeade and one accidental ranch wife who is not planning to help with the fence painting. We'll see.

It's all about school days and Sundays on the ranch – and more slices of frontier family life. Ree is making incredible Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies for a field trip to a local museum and wildlife reserve with her home-schooled kids. Then it's the day of rest and that means church, shopping and comfort classics: Perfect Pot Roast, Blackberry Cobbler and a family nap.

Guns, roping and a marital shootout are all part of the Drummonds' Rancher's Dinner. This is party time with a real Wild West difference. There's got to be beef, Ladd's grilled tenderloins, twice-baked potatoes, crunchy fresh corn casserole and homemade ranch dressing over iceberg wedges. It's a family affair, so the kids and cowboys are helping and sister-in-law Missy's bringing dessert. Then it's Ladd and Ree's guns and roping throwdown - may the best man or woman win.

Christmas is coming and it's a big day on the ranch. It's all about festive food, fun and family traditions. Ree's celebrating the holidays by cooking up divine Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas gifts, and her little elves, the kids, are on delivery duties. Then the Drummonds are hitting town for the annual Christmas parade of lights before heading back to the ranch for a fabulous feast of Prime Rib with a rosemary salt crust, elegant Duchess Potatoes, nine-hour Burgundy Mushrooms and scrumptious Whiskey Cream Sauce. Ree's sharing all her secrets for a delicious Christmas, frontier style. You're all invited to celebrate! Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-pioneer-woman/christmas/index.