Guess what? It’s Chinese New Year! Here’s a tip: If you’re a young ’un, go up to your favorite Chinese elder this week and blurt out “Gung hay fat choy!” You just may be rewarded with COLD, HARD CASH. (How else do you think I earned money as a kid?)
WHAT? No one’s pressing lucky red envelopes stuffed with cash into your palms this week? Don’t be sad—I’ve got a giveaway that’ll turn that frown upside down. To celebrate the Year of the Goat/Ram/Sheep/Whatever this year, I’ve partnered with my pals at Belcampo Meat Co. to give away a $300 gift certificate to one lucky winner! Trust me: I would’ve screamed GUNG HAY FAT CHOY until I was blue in the face if it meant I had a chance to open a red envelope to find that prize.
After all, as many of you know, Belcampo Meat Co.’s my favorite butcher shop in town. It might actually be my favorite shop PERIOD, ’cause I’d much rather score a bunch of goat shanks than buy a new outfit. With the California Certified Organic Farmers’ stamp of approval, and as an Animal Welfare Approved humane handling facility, Belcampo Meat Co. raises animals traditionally: in low-stress environments and with quality food, clean water, free range, and fresh air. In other words, they do things the right way—and not surprisingly, they also produce some of the best tasting grass-fed and grass-finished stuff I’ve ever had.
According to this illuminating profile in The New Yorker, Belcampo’s mission is to save the planet, one well-raised steak at time. But it’s not just about steaks and other “premium” cuts at Belcampo; rather, whole animal butchery is the name of the game, and every part of the beast is utilized. Folks like me can buy mugs of bone broth at their shops, and Belcampo now even offers an Offal Butcher’s Box year-round online.
For a while, Belcampo’s products were only available to the lucky few who could visit its California-based butcher shops and restaurants. But recently, Belcampo launched an online shop—which means folks all around the U.S. can finally try my favorite butcher shop’s meats for themselves—and that includes you! Through its online store, Belcampo features a selection of evergreen and seasonal Butcher’s Boxes; each box weighs around 15 pounds, and includes a bunch of different cuts, and expert tips for home chefs.
So here’s my thinking: if you win the gift certificate, you should seriously consider getting the Goat Butcher’s Box. Of course, you can spend it on any of Belcampo’s offerings, but in my mind, there’s no better way to celebrate The Year of the Goat than by cooking some—am I right? Plus, this particular Butcher Box is available only for a limited amount of time (unlike the Offal Butcher Box, which you can get year-round).
Never tried goat? Now’s the perfect time to try my favorite pastured protein! Goat is one of the most sustainable (and delicious) meat available. Yeah, I know some of you may be skittish about eating four-legged beasts that aren’t cows or pigs, but goat meat is super-tender and delicious, and it isn’t gamey in the slightest. Plus, I’ve got you covered with a bunch of great recipes:
- Braised Thai Green Goat Curry
- Slow Cooker Curried Goat Shanks
- Sous Vide Goat Loin Chops
- Deconstructed Samosa (Spiced Keema)
And if you don’t trust what I have to say, listen to my BFF (best farmer friend), Diana Rodgers. She just shared her top reasons why you should get more goat in your life. In the same post, Diana also shares a fantastic recipe for Indian Goat Stew with Spinach from her upcoming book, The Homegrown Paleo Cookbook: Over 100 Delicious, Gluten-Free, Farm-to-Table Recipes, and a Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Healthy Food.
Ready to celebrate Chinese New Year with a $300 gift certificate to Belcampo Meat Co.? Click on this link by February 26th by 8 pm PST! (Because meat is highly perishable, this giveaway is only open to folks in the continental U.S. Sorry, people outside the 48 contiguous states! I’ll make it up to you with another giveaway soon!)
Good luck, and Happy Chinese New Year!
Looking for recipes? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPad® app, and in my cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel, December 2013)!
