I hit the motherload.
We have a fairly new mom and pop shop meat market conveniently located around the corner. I remember them opening up and secretly hoping they would make a go of it. So many local businesses never get off the ground when they are stuck competing against the big players. I admit that I never checked them out nor did I give them a chance, I simply continued my normal routine that consisted of shopping the sales at the large grocery stores all the while thinking their prices could never be beat. Was I ever wrong.
I heard rumours from others of what a great place it was and more importantly how wonderful the customer service is. Stories of those lugging out large boxes of meat to their car containing various cuts with a monetary value well over $100 for half of that. I had to check it out.
Upon entering I was initially overwhelmed with the enormous rows of meat counters. I am a self professed meat "idiot" and have no clue what a rump roast is from a...well any other type of roast. As I stepped up in line and decided on one of two meat packs for $50 I wanted to ask if pork could be substituted for something else. "Of course" was the owners joyful reply as he immediately gathered an enormous box and started tossing in items. Despite the growing line up he took the time to ask us what we liked and further helped us out by explaining different cuts. He kept tossing in various things and as he was finishing up and preparing to close the box I could see him tossing in more.
Intrigued, I came home and immediately started adding up its contents and to my surprise it came to over $102.00. That was $51 more than I paid for it! I got over 16 lbs of chicken, (boneless, ground, whole and miscut) 6 lbs of steak (5 kinds), 4 lbs of ground beef and a lovely 4 lbs beef oven roast. The majority of steaks were tenderloin cuts (see I'm learning) I was so thankful for his generosity and needless to say he will be our only stop from now on.
I plan to take this week to cook and prepare the contents and make numerous freezer meals for the upcoming weeks.
Monday - Chicken loo mein. I saw this recipe when Amy listed her back to school menu. I got some fresh new ideas that I plan to make in the near future
Tuesday - pumpkin waffles. The pumpkin makes these waffles soft and chewy. I recently ran across this recipe for pancake syrup using potato water. Who would have thought? I am intrigued and so inevitably I have to try it.
Wednesday - lasagna - I can easily whip up three of these and freeze the remaining two
Thursday - beef pot pie. Since the butcher threw in quite a bit of steak, why not put together a few pot pies enabling me to freeze a few.
Friday - homemade chicken nuggets. Trying desperately to compete with the Golden Arches, I have been scouring recipes to rival their famous kid approved chicken nuggets...CURSE YOU CHICKEN NUGGETS. Hopefully I will come up with something comparable that receives a two "sticky" thumbs up by the worst critic out there...a three year old.
Saturday - french toast casserole with sourdough bread. 
Sunday - Home made macaroni and cheese with beef. Huhhh..you say? This was a staple when we were kids camping out in the wilderness (OK, OK! so it was a local campground). It wasn't roughing it until you ate mac and cheese with fried hamburger mixed in, I can almost smell the musty canvas tent.
Why not swing over to Laura's site to get some more meal ideas.