Cow-Sharing and a Taco Seasoning Recipe

Yesterday I was reading a cookbook about beef.  I learned a new term called cow-sharing.  It is when multiple people get together to purchase a beef from the farmer.  This is an option for you. Just check out the post from June 11 about how to purchase a split half of a beef.  Need even less meat, share your split half with another family.

My new cookbook has a recipe for every cut.  Stick with me and I'll share some of the recipes with you.  My first share is going to be one of our family favorites: Taco Seasoning.

Growing up with the last name of Bell we always joked when we were eating tacos at home that we were having Tacos By Bell. This is how I spice my meat before I make it into lasagna as well.  It makes a delicious lasagna.

For each pound of ground beef add:
1 tsp onion flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp red pepper
1/4 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp cumin

Now you won't have to buy packets of seasoning.  I find this one to be much better, just the right amount of spice but not hot. It is also cheaper.
 

All Purpose Healing Salve

The other day I used essential oils for the first time.  I bought them because I wanted to make a recipe I found for an all purpose healing salve.  It takes beeswax but my beeswax smells funny I think. This recipe smells great. It has peppermint, lavender, lemon, and melaleuca.  It's best when rubbed into your feet before you put socks on to go to bed. It has been working very well.  If you would like some let me know. I put it in 4 ounce jars. You can have one for $4.  I think now I'll experiment some more with the essential oils.

Purchasing Beef as a Split Half

Sorry for the delay in writing but I wanted to get this post just right. We have four sides of beef hanging at the processor. They will hang for 21 days and then be ready to go to your freezer.  Please contact us soon if you would like to order one for your family.

Below you will find the hanging weights.  The price is $3.20 a pound hanging weight and includes processing. You can expect to get 60-65% of this weight as meat in your freezer depending on how you have the meat cut and how many of the cuts are bone-in compared to bone-out.  The following are the sizes of the split halves that are available. 

A.     169 pounds for $540.80

B.     172 pounds for $550.40

C.     183 pounds for $585.60

D.     192 pounds for $614.40

There are some choices that you have in cuts.  There are two available of each split half and both customers must select the same cuts to be paired together. 

One of your choices for cuts is to decide between T-Bones or KC Strips and Fillets.  A T-Bone can be cut without the bone and you get a package of KC Strips and a package of Fillets. 

Your second choice is between Rib Steaks with a bone or boneless Rib Eyes.

Round steaks are tenderized or they can be cube steaks instead of round steaks. 

Ground beef is put into 1 pound packages and is 80/20.  This is still a much leaner grind than you will find at the grocery store.  It cooks very clean.  You may choose to have some of your ground beef made into hamburger patties.  The most popular are third-pound patties packaged into 4 per package.  Please let us know how many patty packages you want. 

You can have stew meat or you can choose not to have it and it will be a part of your ground beef. 

Your rump roast will be boned rolled and tied.

You will get some arm and chuck roasts that average 3 pounds each.

You will get one brisket.

Liver, heart and tongue are not available with a split half but may be purchased separately.