Behind the Scenes of Making of The Modern Pioneer Cookbook

In today’s vodcast, I chat with my sweet Kitchen Pioneers and share some of my experiences of what it was like to write my new book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, and have an editor, a photographer, and a food stylist spend a week in my kitchen!

These conversational vodcasts are available to the Kitchen Pioneers who have joined my YouTube membership community—The Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy.

Writing The Modern Pioneer Cookbook

Writing The Modern Pioneer Cookbook was quite a whirlwind, which culminated with a week-long visit from my editor, photographer, and food stylist at my home in Central Texas. Each day during our photo shoot, I did the actual cooking, the food stylist helped highlight the food, and the photographer took pictures right here in my kitchen.

I was often up many a night into the wee hours, prepping sourdough and ferments so that everything would be ready when the crew arrived, often early in the morning. The coffee pot was always going often with a second—and dare I say third—pot brewing throughout the day.

I was quite blessed to have such a wonderful crew, and as I share in the video, we had lots of smiles, laughs, and good cheer as we worked our way through many of the recipes, making and preparing the foods to be photographed for my cookbook.

All the Details…and More!

If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch my public The Modern Pioneer Cookbook announcement video, be sure to check it out below. In the video, I walk you through each chapter in the cookbook and chat about how this detailed reference will help you create nourishing traditional foods and meals.

Just as you’ve found my recipe videos helpful, I’m sure The Modern Pioneer Cookbook will quickly become your essential reference for how to create a traditional foods kitchen. I would be honored if you tucked my cookbook next to your treasured copy of Nourishing Traditions on your kitchen bookshelf!

So be sure to preorder your copy of The Modern Pioneer Cookbook. Thank you, and I’m so glad we’re on this traditional foods journey together!

Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy

My comprehensive vodcasts are exclusively available to members of the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy, who we call Kitchen Pioneers. You can learn more about my optional YouTube membership community, including members-only videos and exclusive perks.

This membership community is optional. I’m still publishing my weekly detailed instructional cooking videos on my public YouTube channel that you can watch for free. (Thanks so much for being a Sweet Friend and subscriber!)

More Kitchen Pioneer Videos

As a Kitchen Pioneer member, your YouTube video comments include a special badge next to your YouTube username. You’re always welcome to post questions and comments on my videos, and I’m happy to reply.

Catch up on some of the videos in our membership community that you may not have seen:

• Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy video playlist (Optional Membership Community)

Kitchen Academy Videos

See all →

How to Eat a Mediterranean Diet with a Keto Twist

Explore a Mediterranean-Keto twist with a full sample menu focused on healthy fats, quality proteins, and low-carb veggies.

Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy 2025 Member Update

I chat about what’s in store for my Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy in 2025.

Baking with Ancient Grains in the Traditional Foods Kitchen

Bake with Einkorn, Emmer, and Spelt—nutritious ancient grains that bring rich flavor and tradition to your favorite recipes.

Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest

1. Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
2. Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) - Get a free 36-page eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.
3. Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy - For more detailed videos and exclusive members-only perks, join my YouTube membership community.
4. Order The Modern Pioneer Cookbook - Get a hardcover book of Mary's nourishing recipes from a Traditional Foods Kitchen. This bestselling cookbook is published by Penguin Random House with their DK imprint.
5. Preorder The Modern Pioneer Pantry - Be one of the first to get Mary's hardcover book about preserving food and making delicious meals from your Four Corners Pantry. Mary's second cookbook is also published by Penguin Random House.

I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!

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Shop for items used in this blog post or video

Favorite Kitchen Supplies

• Favorite Aprons
• Chef’s Knife
• Bamboo Cutting Board
• Lodge Cast Iron Frying Pan
• Scanpan
• Spatula Spoon
• Whisk
• Large Stock Pot
• Stainless Steel Colander
• Large Measuring Cup
• Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Baking Sheet
• 2-Cup Glass Storage Jars with Lids
• 10-Piece Glass Bowl Set
• Flour Sack Towels
• Fat Separator

Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide

• Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
• Visit my Shopping Guide page
  Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Farmhouse Teas, Lehman's, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!

Recommended Reading

• The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
• Nourishing Traditions