Author: Jennifer Kiko

Jennifer lives on a rural route with her husband, kids, horses, cows and faithful Labs, Cash and Carter. She's an aspiring foodie and enjoys making good food for great friends. She lives next door to a winery, plays the piano, and admits to growing too many tomatoes.

When less is more

So you’re looking to reduce some things in the new year … perhaps it’s your waistline, your coffee consumption, even your phone bill. I understand. New Year’s resolutions are a just cause but they can get the best, and worst, of us. I’ve found that success depends on my ability to maintain my strength and soldier …   Continue Reading

Apps for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is hours away. I’m not traveling to Time Square (you either?) or attending a festive gala at a fancy steakhouse (a great idea, though!). Small gatherings are my style. An intimate mix of family or a few close friends, and a variety of decadent finger foods to say ‘out with the old …   Continue Reading

Braised Pot Roast with Root Vegetables

Today we’re in the kitchen with Margaret Coleman, assistant director of digital marketing. Enjoy other recipes in our 12 Roasts of Christmas series here! A flavorful, juicy, tender pot roast almost beats a steak in my book, and this Braised Pot Roast with Root Vegetables recipe did not disappoint. I’m not sure there could have …   Continue Reading

Garlic and Rosemary Strip Roast

Here’s the next recipe in our 12 roasts of Christmas blog series. Step into the kitchen with Melissa Brewer, Certified Angus Beef ® brand Director of Public Relations. Eating has always been one of my favorite things to do, but as anyone who knows me would share, cooking is not! So, you can imagine the …   Continue Reading

Cranberry Top Sirloin Roast

Cookies, candy, cakes and fudge … they’re delightful holiday treats, it’s true. But nothing welcomes friends, family or even colleagues to the table like a magnificent main course. The Cranberry Roast is a spectacular show-stopping entree. Certified Angus Beef ® chef Ashley Pado prepared this recipe and offers step-by-step instructions to show you just how easy …   Continue Reading

Easy Beef Pot Roast

Written and prepared by former intern, Laura Conaway. Christmastime for my family is a busy time. As a kid growing up on a cattle ranch, every sunrise brought with it a new day of excitement and adventure, but there were some days, just a few, where I longed to live alongside the beach or river. …   Continue Reading

Behind the Bizarre with Andrew Zimmern

World-traveling food connoisseur Andrew Zimmern visited Wooster, Ohio, this past summer filming an episode of his hit show Bizarre Foods America. Spotlighting the cuisine and agriculture of Cleveland and surrounding Northeast Ohio, the episode will debut Monday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. EST. Zimmern, also a chef and award-winning food journalist, visited the Certified Angus …   Continue Reading

Prime Rib Roast with Vegetable Gravy

Prime Rib is a classic cut for special occasions and this recipe, prepared by Ashley Pado, chef at the Certified Angus Beef ® Education & Culinary Center, is an exceptional choice. The simplicity of the roast’s rich, beefy flavors paired with a sauce of roasted vegetables and stock, is delicious and elegant. Your dinner guests will be …   Continue Reading

Sweet Cherry & Chipotle Strip Roast

Reminiscing around the dinner table is one of my favorite holiday traditions. Presents under the tree are nice, certainly, but sometimes the most memorable gift is a fabulous meal and an evening of lively conversation with dear ones. Next in our 12 Roasts of Christmas series is a sweet and spicy New York strip roast. It’s served …   Continue Reading

Flank Steak Roulade

We’re celebrating the holidays with sizzle! Join us for the 12 roasts of Christmas — our favorite cuts, greatest tips and step-by-step instructions from our kitchens to yours. Preheat your oven, get out your carving knife and join us as we toast the roast! Chef Michael’s Flank Steak Roulade is an exceptionally tasty and fanciful …   Continue Reading

When in doubt stir the pot

Ever have a day that demands comfort food and perhaps the satisfying whack of a sharp blade against wood? Yeah. Me, too. Some days just require a bit of ‘stewing’ — over issues, challenges and in this case, a stock pot. In a bad mood? Stir the pot — literally. It’s extremely therapeutic! I began …   Continue Reading

35 Years Ago Today

At 8:35 p.m. on October 18, 1978, Ella Whitt purchased the first Certified Angus Beef ® product. To commemorate the event at Renzetti’s IGA in Columbus, Ohio, Governor James A. Rhodes issued an official proclamation launching the country’s first fresh beef brand. Attending the launch were (from left) Al and Carmella Renzetti; Gilman Stewart, American …   Continue Reading

Smoky Meatloaf Sandwich

Meatloaf is a faithfully recurring meal on my family’s menu, probably because it’s easy to make, feeds a crowd and usually — unless they’re especially ravenous — provides leftovers for the next day’s lunch. There’s also the bread factor … fresh-baked bread is rare in my house, but at least the loaf pans are used …   Continue Reading

Decadence in the desert

It’s a yearly tradition … celebrate past successes and face the future with improvements, new ideas, brainstorming and inspiration. This transition — past to present to forward thinking — takes place at the Certified Angus Beef ® brand’s annual conference. The event is held at beautiful destinations across the country and every once in awhile, …   Continue Reading

Cheesy celebration

Today we’re celebrating the humble cheeseburger! A beefy, juicy burger, topped with your favorite condiments, cheeses and spices … grilled to perfection. Check out some of our favorite cheeseburger recipes here!  Continue Reading

The Big Dipper

The writers here at GoRare.com are avid food fanatics. We’re not professionals, but we’re passionate about tasty bites and recently, we decided to be more adventurous in our home kitchens. We made a plan to prepare beef dishes we’ve never tried before — some difficult, some easy but all a first attempt by the people …   Continue Reading

History in the making

Editor’s note: This post was written by intern Laura Conaway. I’m a ranch kid through and through, and there’s this bond that we ranch kids share. It’s something we don’t have to speak about but all feel (at least that’s how it seems in my head). We have all experienced the late nights and the …   Continue Reading

Flavors of Fall Cooking Class

You may remember back in May, when Chef Michael Ollier hosted our inaugural cooking class at the Certified Angus Beef ® Education & Culinary Center. He’s hosting a second class on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. The class is aimed at the finer points of braising and other slow-cooking techniques that will fill your …   Continue Reading

How bizarre

A celebrity in our Education & Culinary Center? You bet! This week we welcomed Andrew Zimmern, host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods. Shown above (from his Instagram feed) Zimmern spent some time with Certified Angus Beef ® brand chefs and meat scientist Dr. Phil Bass. It was a busy day with lots of beef talk, but …   Continue Reading

Go Tell It On the Mountain

When you have a message to spread to the world — one you believe in wholeheartedly and dedicate your life to preserving, promoting and improving — you’re willing to go to great lengths to share your point-of-view. Your mission is fueled by enthusiasm, passion and unwavering resolve. You want to shout your ideals from mountaintops, from sea …   Continue Reading

Big flavors from N.C. Triad

[Editor’s note: This post was written by staff intern, Laura Conaway.] The land within the North Carolina cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point – known simply to natives as the Triad — is where chefs Jay Pierce and Ryan Payne call home. Pierce, whose unmistakable beard and ponytail are nearly as distinct as his …   Continue Reading

Celebrate with a big bang of flavor

It’s party time! If you’re like many of us, you’re planning an outdoor meal that includes steaks, burgers and/or frankfurters. Ribeyes, strips or sirloin steaks are the perfect option for a Saturday night backyard soiree, but these pricier cuts are not always an option for feeding an Independence Day party crowd. Never fear. Chef Michael …   Continue Reading

Celebrate with Barbecue Brisket

Feed a crowd, or prepare for a small gathering and enjoy leftovers the next day. Cook brisket in a slow cooker, then finish on the grill to caramelize sugars in the cherry barbecue sauce. This recipe is perfect for Independence Day celebrations or everyday summer gatherings. Click below for the recipe: Brisket with Cherry Barbecue …   Continue Reading

Secrets to great steaks {part 2}

Imagine the sizzling aroma of beef meeting flame when you toss a T-bone on the grill. Rich beef flavor, a satisfying bite and mouthwatering juiciness are the reasons classic steaks like ribeye, strip and filet mignon are so popular. In addition to familiar favorites, though, consider a few new favorites that are not only delicious, …   Continue Reading

Secrets to great steaks {part 1}

Independence Day is just around the corner and if you’re like millions of Americans (and me!), you will celebrate with fireworks and something flavorful from the grill. When it comes to steaks, one of the most common questions is: “How long should I cook it?” There’s no easy answer, but there is good news. Learn …   Continue Reading

Steak in, not stirred, with a twist

Cheers to you on National Martini Day, because we know sometimes, you’re not as thirsty as you are hungry. You’re not as ready to unwind as you are to celebrate with a hearty hoorah. Sometimes you want a glass that is neither half empty, nor half full. You want a glass that is — quite simply —overflowing …   Continue Reading

Action + Reaction = Satisfaction

We were watching a cooking show one evening when my seven-year-old blurted out, “Hey! Why don’t I ever get ‘perfect diamond grill marks’ on my steak?!” Touché, son. I hereby swear to work on my grilling technique. After laughing at his perfectly reasonable but unexpected question, I started to wonder: “Why DO chefs sear those …   Continue Reading

Burger love

Tis the season for salivating over savory, sweet or spicy burgers fresh off the grill. Sure, May 28 happens to be National Burger Day, but you know what I say? Celebrate all summer long! In my experience there’s no better way to gather friends, family and loved ones than with the promise of a cookout …   Continue Reading

Small town, big flavors

Wooster, Ohio isn’t a ‘bright lights, big city’ sort of place, but it offers an abundance of hometown hospitality that welcomes visitors and locals with a charming Main Street and downtown area, fantastic public library and unique shopping opportunities. There’s a thriving arts scene including The Ohio Light Opera, and a burgeoning culinary community with specialty …   Continue Reading

A Day In the Life of a Rancher, part 2

Yesterday, Debbie Lyons-Blythe was sharing a day on the ranch, as part of our “Day in the Life” series. Today we pick back up, just as the cattle are about to “head out on the highway” … After they walk through the brome and alfalfa field, they will walk a quarter of a mile on …   Continue Reading

A Day In the Life of A Rancher part 1

It takes a heap of work, coordination and planning to get a tasty steak from pasture to plate. In honor of National Beef Month, we decided to check in with the people who devote their life’s work to providing, cooking and delivering the Certified Angus Beef ® brand to your table. Come along with us and experience a “Day in the Life” of these fine folks.  Continue Reading

Earth day, every day

Blue skies, fresh water, wide open spaces and grassy pastures. It’s a scene straight off the ranch — a sustainable system that requires diligent caretakers. We call those folks everyday environmentalists. There’s a Native American proverb that states, We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. This truth is …   Continue Reading

Meeting of the minds

Perhaps it wasn’t your typical “girls’ night out” celebration, but it was an entertaining few days, nevertheless. Board members from the American Angus Auxiliary convened in Wooster this weekend for meetings, education and beefy conversations. The American Angus Auxiliary supports the endeavors of the American Angus Association and members across the country. The Auxiliary awards …   Continue Reading

Say cheese

I can’t tell you who ‘invented’ National Grilled Cheese Day, but I love that person immensely. A holiday for an all-American favorite? Amen. Don’t get me wrong — steaks are spectacular, burgers are divine and soups are satisfying, but is there anything better than a grilled cheese sandwich? Why yes. Yes, there is. A grilled …   Continue Reading

Corned beef, No Blarney!

Whether you’re Irish or just Irish-at-heart, chances are good you’ll be enjoying corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day. Though it’s most often enjoyed with cabbage, carrots and potatoes, why not go beyond the traditional this year? Mix it up with these recipes for a little extra Irish spring in your step! Click for a Corned …   Continue Reading

In the Beard House with Chef Dave Martin

He’s put together countless meals, but Chef Dave Martin says putting together a menu for an autumn dinner at the esteemed James Beard House was a task that took time, effort and a good deal of editing. There are many considerations, you see. “I start with what’s in season,” Dave said, “And for me, it’s …   Continue Reading