Cold Spring Ranch, Maine Grass Fed Beef

Mid-Winter 2012

Molly — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:31:31 +0000

The long full days of summer at the Ranch are filled with the near constant hum of activity – from haying to putting up fences to moving cattle to hauling water troughs to fixing and mending and updating what time and weather and nature erodes. But the winter days at the Ranch have a much calmer pace. Early mornings are for checking on the herd and breaking up any ice in the water trough. And most afternoons the cattle are fed hay. Gabe plugs in the tractor to warm it up and heads out to roll out a few bales in the snow. It has a comforting, methodical rhythm that is fitting for the short days. Each year just as we start to tire of unwrapping yet another bale in the daily feeding routine, spring arrives and it is time to let the cattle out to pasture. And we are off and running again. Until then, the days continue to inch longer and we are enjoying the more simple and still winter existence.

Early Winter 2011-2012

pollymac — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:01:38 +0000

After a few early snowstorms, winter seems to have stalled here in Western Maine. At the start of the New Year, the temperature is mild and there is not a bit of snow left on the ground. We’ve had plenty of wildlife sightings – from turkeys and deer to bald eagles and coyotes. And there is fog instead of ice over Gilman Pond. While this has sadly delayed Gabe’s creation of cross country ski trails from crisscrossing the pastures, it has meant less work keeping the areas around the barn and feeding areas clear for the tractor and cows. After a new group of calves arrived at the Ranch this fall, we are heading into the winter with the most cattle we’ve had yet. Thankfully, last summer was a great year for making hay so we are excited to be able to expand the operation with plenty of feed to spare.

We hope you all enjoy the start of the New Year and here’s hoping for snow!

Blue keeping watch in early January 2012

Snow for Thanksgiving 2011

Gabe and Maisie moving cattle in late fall 2011

Cold Spring Ranch Cold Weather Chili

pollymac — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:02:58 +0000

As you can imagine, we make a lot of beef chili here in the winter. To be honest, we rarely measure out the amounts of spices or vegetables. And we often use whatever ingredients we have on hand. It doesn’t have to be complicated – beef, tomatoes, beans and spices are all you really need. But here is a good basic recipe we’ve created that we think tastes fantastic on a cold winter day. It pairs nicely with fresh cornbread right out of the oven drizzled with honey.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large chopped onion
2 teaspoons chili powder (or more to taste)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 lb CSR ground beef (could be replaced with a 1-2lb CSR roast cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
2 28 oz cans of fire roasted diced or crushed tomatoes (Molly’s recommendation) or stewed tomatoes (Gabe’s recommendation)
1 small can diced jalapeno or 2 diced fresh jalepenos
2 red or green bell peppers – diced
2 zucchinis – diced
2 15 oz cans drained beans – any combination of pinto, black bean, kidney or garbanzo beans (or 2 cups dried beans soaked overnight and drained).
Any combination of garnishes: we like crumbled bacon, sour cream, chopped green onions, avocados and/or shredded pepper jack cheese

1. Heat olive oil in a casserole or dutch oven. Saute onion over medium/low heat until translucent
2. Add CSR beef and brown over medium high heat
3. Turn heat back to meduim/low head and add tomatoes, jalapeno, chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes and heat through
3. Stir in chopped peppers, zucchini and beans
4. Simmer at low heat, uncovered, for about an hour and a half. Cover or add water or broth if the mixture becomes too thick
5. Serve in a large bowl with desired garnishes
Makes at least 6-8 portions

Cold Weather Chili