Abby Maher

IN THE KITCHEN WITH ABBY MAHER

Tell us about yourself:

Hello everyone! My name is Abby and I have been working at US Wellness Meats (USWM) in Canton for three and a half years now. I have a few roles in the office, mainly the HR Manager and Resident Chef. I grew up just 45 minutes southwest of Canton and never knew that USWM was right in my backyard! After working here for a while, my border collie Benny (who is also a Wellness Meats fan) and I became locals in Canton. I really enjoy this town and it seems that a few of the locals really enjoy my pies too!

How did you get involved in cooking?

I have been involved in cooking my entire life, I grew up in a family where all the meals were homecooked. My mom made homemade rolls every Monday. A favorite memory from my childhood is getting off the school bus, warming a roll and slathering it with butter. Mmm, I can taste it now. I have always loved to read recipe books. I read them like books, cover to cover, and will cook from the inspiration I gain from them. Rarely following an exact recipe. Somewhere in my early adult years, I became interested in pie baking. I reached out to my Aunt Jenny and Grandma for some recipes and their best pointers and got to baking! It wasn’t long before Aunt Jenny told me the student had surpassed the masters. While my pies might be a touch fancier, I have always had an artistic side, you cannot convince me they taste better than the pies I grew up eating from my grandma’s kitchen. With my Grandma Pat’s permission, I am excited to share my rendition of her pie crust and delicious coconut cream pie!

Describe your cooking style:

Simple, wholesome, cozy, and tasty! I rarely follow a recipe to a T, I enjoy keeping things simple, using ideas I have gained from reading recipes and sticking to what works – USWM Seasoning, garlic, Riley’s Seasoning, and white pepper for a little bite seem to do the trick most of the time! I enjoy cooking for a crowd and feeding friends; the recipes must be simple and taste good!

How did you learn about grass-fed meats?

I started working for USWM in 2020, and through my position here, I learned a lot about grass-fed meats from John Wood and our customers! I was raised a farm kid but did not know the importance of grass-fed meats regarding our health until joining the USWM team. I love what we stand for, the care John and our partner farms give to the animals, and the importance of giving back to the land.

What is your favorite recipe featuring grass-fed meat?

You just cannot beat a juicy French ribeye on the grill! Our beef is some of the best I have ever tasted. I always tell people who are skeptical about trying grass-finished beef to try the steaks, it’s hard to go wrong with a ribeye that has been aged 35 days!

But our Ground Lamb is one of my favorites. As a customer service rep when I first started, and even when I get the occasional customer asking for a recommendation today, I say, “Oh try the Ground Lamb!”. It is so tasty and different from our Ground Beef. Stands alone well. You need nothing fancy to prepare a great dish with the Ground Lamb!

You’re stranded on a desert island; luckily, you’re stranded with your top 5 ingredients and one must-have kitchen tool:

Raw milk, USWM ribeye, garlic, potatoes, mangoes. John would want me to say Pemmican, but I will leave that for you all, ha!

A Flavorwave/infrared cooker – These cook everything!! Number one kitchen gadget for someone just starting out!

Best cooking secret/tip/piece of advice you’ve learned:

This is sometimes hard for me to accept, but the dish or the pie doesn’t have to be pretty to taste amazing and be enjoyed by friends.

What’s your favorite quote/song for culinary inspiration (if any)?

My go-to is to say, “Hey Alexa, play some 90s country!” and bake/cook away!

Anything else you want to share?

I want to take this spot to thank our owner and managing partner, John, for taking such good care of his employees and his customers. I am so grateful to be a part of the USWM Team. Thanks for the October spotlight. This has been a fun project and I look forward to you trying my favorite recipes!

Your social media links (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube):

Instagram: Little A Pies @littleapies

Enter To Win!

Enter to Win our October 2023 Savory & Sweet Food Giveaway for a chance to win $150 bundle of delicious & nutritious grass-fed and pastured meats.
Contest runs from October 1 – October 11, 2023.