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!
JODI JONES says
I do the whole dinner. Turkey, Stuffing (traditional), Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato casserole, Homemade Rolls, Cranberry Jello Salad, Pumpkin and Pecan Pie.
alyssa says
I do it all but vegan!
Candice Dyer says
I'll be doing all the traditional food! Turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, and more!
hdeanna69 says
turkey for sure
Anonymous says
I would make my favorite dressing and also if I had the time a apple dessert. Yummee for the tummy..from mary at [email protected]
Amy L says
We will be making our traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and lots of sides. My husband makes the turkey, and his stuffing is my favorite part of the meal. I bake pumpkin pie and also pumpkin cheesecake. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I can't wait!
amweeks says
We go to my SIL's for Thanksgiving, but cook for Christmas here. Usually turkey, ham, lasagna and lots of fun side dishes!
Kori says
I will be hosting for the first time so hopefully my mother-in-law will help me with the turkey!
Holly Hibner says
Beef wellington. It's my dad's fave!
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says
Dijon and herb crusted beef tenderloin here – tried it a few years ago and it's become a favorite!
Kathleen says
I will be trying to make a new wild rice dish.
Camille says
I will definitely be cooking my mother's dressing! So delicious.
Ashlee Hoppert says
Pumpkin cheescakes
Rita A says
I will be cooking ..nothing. We are going out of town for Thanksgiving. I most likely will be cooking a meal the week before just to have turkey leftovers!
Melanie Montgomery says
I will be making stuffing.
Elizabeth Tello says
Green beans with roasted pecans.
Alyson says
Sweet potato and pomegranate salad. yum!!
Daniela Taylor says
I guess turkey, potatoes, stuffing and probably some cookies or pie.
kellyr78 says
We are cooking a turkey, mashed potatoes, candied yams and other sides.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
emchelly77 says
I am going to try to make homemade mac and cheese again! This would be perfect for it!