Last night we got our second shipment from the Marin Sun Farm's meat CSA. I posted about my trip out to the farm to see where the meat is coming from a couple weeks back, you can see it here. This week the contents of our box included:

•  One 3.89 lb whole  chicken
•  One 3.5 lb whole chicken
•  Two 1 lb pork ground packs
•  Three 1 lb beef ground packs
  
•  7.5 lbs chicken legs & thighs
  
•  One 4.41 lb beef cross rib

When I first decided to get the CSA I was a little worried that we were going to have WAY too much food. Twenty-four pounds of meat sounds like a lot right? As it turns out, it was ok. By the time we were expecting our next delivery we had finished every last bit of our previous order. In fact, we even supplemented the meat we purchased with fish and fresh cuts of meat from the Berkeley Bowl. No problem. Yes, Charlie and I eat a lot, but we also cook a lot. Almost all of the food we eat is prepared in our kitchen, so we go through food pretty quickly. After being in the CSA for a month now, I do have a few thoughts. First, it is wonderful to be able to eat food that I know is coming from a place that cares for its animals and has minimal impact on the environment. I know that the nutritional profile of the meat I am getting is probably better than what I would get elsewhere. Second, if you are going to get a meat CSA I would suggest you do what we do, get enough meat for half or 3/4 of your meals. Supplement with fresh fish and meat and the occasional meal out. The meat CSA is good, but the meat does come to you frozen, and you can't really deny that fresh meat is better. So, use the CSA to provide you with ground meat and the cuts that can withstand being frozen like braises that are going to be cooked for a long time anyway. Save your fresh meats for things like steaks, stuff you are more likely going to want fresh.

So...does anyone have any recipes for me to try with my most recent shipment? I would love some suggestions!