Welcome to the first week of November, my friends! Are you getting excited about the holidays yet?
I spent last weekend in Wooster, Ohio with Certified Angus Beef and ten other food bloggers. We had a blast in the Certified Angus Beef test kitchen learning more than I ever could have imagined there was to know about beef.
In addition to all the beef talking, learning, cooking, and eating; I had a great time wandering through the small town and soaking up all of the gorgeous autumn leaves, cool weather, and small town window shopping.
I learned the best ways to choose your meats, how the beef is graded by the USDA, great tips for tying a roast, flavor profiles, and so much more! I was lucky enough to work with Chef Michael Ollier for three days of cooking and playing in the test kitchen.
All four of the chefs were great and I couldn’t have asked for more generous and fun hosts. I’ve never tasted such amazing food in one place in my life. By the end of the weekend, there were at least a dozen dishes that I want to make again.
I had a heck of a lot of fun shooting a handful of quick videos to make your beef buying, cooking, and serving work easier. I have a whole lot of fun things planned to share with you! (I can’t keep all this knowledge to myself, can I?)
You know what else I learned? Certified Angus Beef doesn’t represent a type of cow or certain ranches or cuts of beef.
Certified Angus Beef represents a set of guidelines that were developed to guarantee that when you purchase a product with their label, it is the highest quality possible.
Independent ranchers apply to be graded by those standards through the USDA. Certified Angus Beef doesn’t farm or butcher or do anything else directly related to the animals.
Certified Angus Beef is simply THE standard. Their job is to train professionals in order to get the best results possible from the best quality of beef.
To say that I brought home a plethora of knowledge doesn’t begin to describe how much I learned. I’m looking forward to sharing all of it with you over the coming year!
Disclosure: The Le Creuset giveaway has been provided by Certified Angus Beef ® and Le Creuset. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands I love that help make this site possible!
Sarah Campbell says
I just found it will be just me and mom on Thanksgiving, so I'm not sure what I'm going to cook yet!
Mandy says
Mashed potatoes
Martha Christian says
The menu is Herb Roasted Turkey, Sourdough Almond Stuffing, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole with Caramelized Onions, Parmesan and Creme Fraiche. Dessert is Mini Black Forest Tartlets, and the traditional pumpkin and apple pies. The menu also calls for making memories with family near and far.
Linda Kristine says
I love Le Creuset! I'd love to make a few wonderful dishes for the holidays in this pan.
Linda Kristine says
What a wonderful piece of cookware!
MJ says
I'm making baked ziti. We have a very different thanksgiving at my in-laws house!
dawn keenan says
We cook turkey ham and all of the traditional fixings, plus lots of baked goodies.
jac says
I would use it to cook my prime rib roast.
Kathrine Quincy says
I will be making the turkey this year 🙂
Jennifer Blanton says
I will be making traditional Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey and stuffing
Gail Marie H says
I will bring side dishes to Thanksgiving dinner at my daughter's house. They have me bring their favorites from when they were younger like green beans & bacon, my stuffing and I try something new to bring along.
Melissa Cantrell says
I will be cooking the Southern Cornbread Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Hashbrown Casserole, Deviled Eggs, Homemade Dinner Rolls, Grandmother's Lime Jello, Sweet & Unsweet Tea
Karen Ball says
Prime Rib and Yorkshire Pudding, Y'all!
Pam says
Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin and a few desserts that I haven't yet decided on.
MCD says
Will be making the turkey.
Kat'n says
I'll be cooking a roast duck, chevre stuffed dates, and rocket salad with mandarin oranges.
Anonymous says
There will be several but my favorites will be roasted garlic mashed potatoes and turkey sausage cornbread stuffing
Christi says
When you are researching Wooster, OH and come across this blog post… XOXO
Mary Younkin says
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly six years since that first trip. I never would’ve believed that we’d eventually live here. I’m so in love with Ohio. Hurry up and move closer, Christi.