My Prairie Cookbook: Memories and Frontier Food from My Little House to Yours

by Melissa Gilbert, Dane Holweger (Photographer)

A collection of 80 comforting recipes from the star of Little House on the Prairie.   From prairie breakfasts and picnic lunches to treats inspired by Nellie’s restaurant, these simple and delicious dishes—crispy fried chicken, pot roasts, cornbread, apple pie, and more—present Bonnet Heads (aka die-hard Little House fans) with the chance to eat like the Ingalls family.   Actress Melissa Gilbert’s personal recollections and memorabilia, including behind-the-scenes stories, anecdotes, and more than 75 treasured scrapbook images, accompany the recipes. With answers to the most-asked questions from fans—on topics such as the biggest bloopers, on-set romances, and what Michael Landon was really like—My Prairie Cookbook is a cherished memento for fans of Little House and Laura Ingalls Wilder, as well as anyone who loves hearty, simple home cooking.   “Melissa’s writing is so warm and personal that it makes me feel like I’m being wrapped in a big, warm blanket, and the recipes are approachable and delicious.” —Jennifer Garner

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food, Memoir, Biography, Adult

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2014

Reviews

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Little House on the Prairie heart truly skipped a beat when I saw that this book was coming out. I will admit, I actually cheered and got giddy. What can I say, I love the Ingalls family. This cookbook was awesome. Full of simple, heartwarming recipes and anecdotes as well as great behind the scenes photos from the show. I really enjoyed this and can't wait to make some comfort food using halfpint's recipes.

[Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookbook and memoir both, I found the recipes easy, basic comfort food for people who like to eat, the pictures nostalgic and her memories fascinating. For fans of The Little House on the Prairie, this is the one for you. A great read.

[Tiffany Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's nothing earth-shattering here, in terms of what you do in the kitchen. It's just a little collection of staples and standards... but the layout, design, and photography are top-notch. Plus, there are backstage blurbs included about Gilbert's on-set life (my favorite: all that chicken they ate was actually KFC), but there's also some cop-out filler (pasted-from-fansite goofs with one or two sentence comments from MG). Overall, while not a necessity for the kitchen, it's a must=-have for die-hard Little House fans. It's good stuff for a second-hand purchase or to borrow from the library - or to give/receive as a gift. I don't know how many dishes I'll make, but there are a couple I'd really like to try. 4 stars (but I *really* love LHOTP)

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this a 4.5.This was a very fun book to read. It is mostly cookbook but also a kind of a memoir by Melissa Gilbert.Like most cookbooks, it is broke into categories, such as breakfast meals, casseroles, main dishes, deserts etc. the fun part of this book is if you were a fan of the tv show, Little House on the Prairie, Melissa spends quite a bit of time talking about her years on the show.Giving interesting tidbits about what it was like during those years. She even includes a fun part of the bloopers during the nine years. This really is a cookbook and has some very good looking recipes. All of them Melissa has cooked herself. Many of them are recipes or dishes you would have eaten during this time period. I can see a lot of these dishes being served during this time era. There are also recipes that call for more modern items. thank goodness for grocery stores. I really enjoyed reading this unique recipe book. I would gladly try out a lot of these delicious looking foods. I borrowed my copy from the library, so looks like I will have to actually buy a copy so i can try some of the recipes.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very happy with this book. Not only is it an interesting collection about the Little House TV series, it is also a useful cookbook. So far I have only made the apple pie (which was delicious), but the recipes are interesting, well described, and each item is well photographed.

[Jessica Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pictures and little stories from behind the scenes of Little House on the Prairie. The recipes are great too.

[Laurel Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2014, but it has the look of a book from the 1970s, from the endpapers, to the old photographs, untouched and faded. Not much is authentic 1870s cooking, but it all speaks of home and comfort from macaroni and cheese to gingerbread to fried corn on the cob. Lots of photos and memorabilia from the show, Laura's 10 favorite episodes, bloopers, and frequently asked Q & A. I'd really like to try the Spicy Pumpkin Muffins, Zucchini Fritters, and the Triple Strawberry Cake!

Book description: A collection of 80 comforting recipes from the star of Little House on the Prairie. From prairie breakfasts and picnic lunches to treats inspired by Nellie’s restaurant, these simple and delicious dishes—crispy fried chicken, pot roasts, cornbread, apple pie, and more—present Bonnet Heads (aka die-hard Little House fans) with the chance to eat like the Ingalls family.

Actress Melissa Gilbert’s personal recollections and memorabilia, including behind-the-scenes stories, anecdotes, and more than 75 treasured scrapbook images, accompany the recipes. With answers to the most-asked questions from fans—on topics such as the biggest bloopers, on-set romances, and what Michael Landon was really like—My Prairie Cookbook is a cherished memento for fans of Little House and Laura Ingalls Wilder, as well as anyone who loves hearty, simple home cooking.

[Travis Herring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll cook some of these recipes while singing Old Dan Tucker.

[Terry Bourbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dad says that his mother, my grandmother, used to sit and read cookbooks like a novel. We always found that to be amusing, but the older I get, the more I realize why that could be. My mom had a book or two by The Frugal Gourmet, and I really enjoyed reading them because he didn't just give you recipes, each one had a story. He would talk and write about the region where the food originated, how the recipe developed, who first made it for him, how he learned to make it or why it interested him. I was absolutely enthralled. This book is no different. My daughter got it for me for Christmas, and I spent a few hours on Christmas morning totally enthralled in Melissa Gilbert's book. There are stories of the Little House series, which I grew up watching, and continued to watch off and on for decades. There are pictures of the actors, stories about Michael Landon, from her perspective, which are beautiful. There are recipes that they made on the set for authenticity, there are recipes that Melissa grew up with, and recipes that she makes for her family. I think I have read every part of this book, including many of the recipes. It is a beautiful window into Melissa's childhood, as she grew up on the set of the beloved series. It is also a beautiful telling of some of the bits of wisdom she has picked up on the way. I highly recommend it ! And besides, everyone needs an authentic biscuit and crunchy fried chicken recipes !

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part cookbook and part photo book/memoir about Melissa Gilbert's time playing Laura Ingalls on the TV show Little House on the Prairie. Throughout the books are tons of photographs and memories of Gilbert's time on the TV show. Some of the recipes are ones inspired by the show and others are just some of Gilbert's personal favorites. Overall, it was an interesting book particularly if you were a fan of the Little House on the Prairie TV show. There are a few recipes I'd like to try, but nothing ground-breaking or super creative in my opinion - good, but not great.

[Andrea D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't normally put a cookbook in my "read" list but I did actually read it (not the recipes). Any fan of the show "Little House on the Prairie" needs to take a look at this book. Written by Melissa Gilbert, it is full of information about the show. There are tons of behind the scene photos, FAQs, bloopers, and all sorts of memories. The recipes look pretty good too, although I haven't tried any yet.

[Laura Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than no nutritional info for the recipes which I kind of need on the diet I'm on it is a really good book and I think I I may buy it. Lots of behind the scenes photos from the show, several pages of bloopers from the show, story comic cetera definitely something any little house fan would love. The recipes though are more Paula Deen than healthy lol

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun cookbook filled with good recipes. What makes this book so entertaining are all the stories and memories that Melissa Gilbert has included with the food. She shares many vintage memories of the television show with her readers. If you enjoyed the cast and the show, you will enjoy this book, and the food.

[Jamie is · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the same version that I read when I was a kid. The one I am thinking of had recipes simple enough for kids to do (and I'd like to do some with Nadeen... one idea was to make "candy" by pouring syrup into clean snow, which I could do as I lived on farmland), the rest were more complicated and required an adult hand.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun cookbook with a lot of behind the scene photos and stories from her time working on the series. If you are a LHOTP fan (I am!) than you will enjoy this. The recipes are fairly simple and while not all of them relate to how prairie women would have cooked, several of them do. I'll be putting this one on my wish list. :)

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: Read a 2nd time 5 yrs later. Cooked tuna noodle casserole and my husband loved it better than my standby recipe.

Not just a cookbook, but fun little facts and behind the scenes pictures of Little House written by Melissa Gilbert. Loved her Q & A section at the end about scene bloopers and mix-ups!

[Stephanie Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't learn a lot about the little house on the prairie that I didn't know before, but the tone is friendly and I spent a really good time reading this book. I'm also going to try several of the recipes, the look delicious !

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such fun to read. Intermingled with all of the delicious recipes(both prairie worthy and now), are anecdotes, photos, answers to fans questions, fun facts, and memories. Truly a book that all Little House fans should have in their collections.

[Kathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fun information about Little House, too.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading her memories of filming 'Little House on the Prairie'.

[Sheryl Haight · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you grew up watching Little House on the Prairie you will love this book. And if you like to cook, you can find new recipes to add to your menu's.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes in this book look worthwhile. The fun stories that Melissa shares about filming this wonderful show, and the rest of the many involved make the book very worth the read!

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Beautifully put together and written. Great recipes that are easy to read and follow. At all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was darling! Lots of fun Little House memories, mixed with a ton of great basic recipes! Loved it!

[Gaile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of lovely photos of food and a brief history of the author's time on The Little House On the Prairie, this also includes delicious recipes.

[Reina Williams]

A fun read for "Little House on the Prairie" fans. I haven't tried any of the recipes, but many look good, and the book is a quick, pleasant read (I got it from the library).

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cookbook has now become my go to for all occasions. Easy to follow recipes that taste great!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading her memories of filming 'Little House on the Prairie'.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially liked that Melissa Gilbert included her memories of being on the Little House series along with her own family recipes.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remembering Little House on the Prairie and Marking Recipes My sil and I have been making meals for the family (my dad, her dad, her brother, my husband/her brother, my girls) and I like to look through recipes to find new things to make so that we have lots of choices and can change things up, but also have things that can be brought to her house (50 miles south) or prepared in advance and set out when we have it at my house. We look for low sugar desserts that everyone will enjoy and experiment with ones that we find and change them to suit our needs or likes. 
 
This book was recipes that Melissa Gilbert (Half-Pint) collected over her life and that she makes for her family. She reminisces about her time on the show and tells stories about things that happened. It was a fun read and lots of good recipes. This is a book that I borrowed from the library and have marked for purchase. I know that my girls will enjoy the recipes, too.