'Bacon & Beans: A Collection of Tales and Recipes from the West' combines stories and recipes from the American West. The text offers a vivid look at daily life on ranches and around campfires, with a mix of campfire stories, culinary traditions and practical dishes such as Dutch oven bread, wild game dishes and barbecue techniques. The book connects regional traditions and memories with tasty recipes, providing both cultural context and practical cooking inspiration for lovers of the outdoors and ranch-style cooking. Stella Hughes was an American author and cookbook writer associated with Western Horseman and related publications. She was from Oklahoma and California and spent her life engaged in ranch and outdoor activities, including ranch cooking, horse riding, and rodeo riding. Her work reflects the culture and traditions of the American West, and she is known for her enthusiasm for the outdoors, cooking, and cowboy traditions.