After realizing he knew more about the television on his wall than the food on his plate, television producer and amateur chef Jared Stone bought 420 pounds of beef directly from a rancher and embarked on an inspiring, often hilarious culinary adventure. With a pioneering spirit and the help of an incredibly supportive wife and a cadre of highly amused friends, Stone cooks his way through his cow, becoming more mindful of his diet and making changes to his lifestyle. He bravely confronts challenges he never expected—like how to dry beef jerky without attracting the neighborhood wildlife, and how to make meals from cuts like the tongue and heart?and offers a recipe at the end of each chapter.

"A high-octane, thinking-man's account of one guy's quest to find meaning in life by cooking a grass-fed steer. The food descriptions and recipes could tempt even a vegan to order steak. You'll never look at feedlot meat the same way."—Steven Raichlen

"A lively, informative, sometimes-intimate tale from his family's adventure eating a freezer full of beef.... Stone's revealing set pieces are warm, winning and welcome. Readers will feel like guests in their home, privy to private fears and joys as well as gastronomic triumphs and catastrophes."—Kirkus Reviews

"A winsome, endearing, and revealing story, Stone's nose-to-tail experience with a whole beef in his kitchen makes the daunting seem like can-do fun.... Epiphanies occur in unexpected places, but each one expresses the connections, responsibilities, and opportunities all of us share with food and the land. A truly enjoyable read."—Joel Salatin