Mountains and More in Montana

Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam...can you guess where we are today?  Our Staycation continues in the state of Montana - the fourth biggest state in America.  Cooking our way across the county has introduced us to different cuisines, and today is certainly one of them.  Reading about Montana reminded me that it has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states.  I learned that it is the state home to the most species of mammals.  Seems like a state I would only like to visit while riding inside of a car with the windows rolled up.  I can't imagine coming into contact with elk, buffalo, leopards, bobcats, lynx, wolf, mink, mountain lions, Siberian tigers...you get the picture.  I am an island girl after all!

Today we are grilling bison for the first time.  Chad is in charge since he will be using the Big Green Egg.  Our menu today includes:  Bison Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries with Srirachi Dipping Sauce, Watermelon Popsicles, and Mountain Dew Cake with Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Cream.  Come cook with us!

Bison Burgers:

1 pound ground bison
cheddar cheese - shredded
2 eggs - fried
2 jalapenos - fried
tablespoon of butter
blackberry jam
4 slices bacon - cooked
Kaiser buns

This is the biggest burger I have ever tried to put into my mouth!  It is a little smoky, spicy, salty, and sweet, all rolled into one!  Go ahead and start out with all of your ingredients prepped before putting the burgers on the grill - it will come together quickly!

The first thing we did was cook the bacon - we do ours in the oven.  Line a baking sheet (jelly roll pan) with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.  Add the bacon slices.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

Drain on paper towels and put to the side.

Next, chop the jalapenos into rings.  You can either leave the seeds in for a little heat (we did), or remove them depending on your tolerance.

Melt a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan on medium-high heat. 

Cook jalapenos for 2 minutes per side. 

They will be golden brown when ready to flip.

Drain on paper towels and put them to the side as well.

Now it's time to make your bison patties.  You should be able to make four.  Season with salt and pepper.

Since bison is a lean meat, it will shrink when it cooks...be prepared. 

When you flip the burgers, add the shredded cheddar cheese.  It will melt quickly.

Now for the eggs.  In a non-stick pan, fry two eggs.  Honestly, today was my first time making fried eggs.   I have just learned to eat them scrambled...baby steps!

When the bison burgers are finished (medium is most flavorful), it is time to start assembling.
Cut the buns in half lengthwise using a serrated knife.

Smear blackberry jam on both the top and bottom half of the bun.

Add the burgers,

Bacon,

 

Fried egg,

Jalapeno rings.

Finally, add the top of the bun.

Not only is it full of color...it is packed with FLAVOR!



Sweet Potato Fries:

2 sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons of olive oil
teaspoon chili powder
teaspoon cumin
teaspoon paprika

Wash sweet potatoes and slice into even widths. 

In a mixing bowl, add olive oil and spices and whisk well.

Add in fries,

Toss to coat.

Put a wire rack on top of a baking sheet.

Layer the fries evenly.

Bake in a 425 degree oven for 10 minutes. 

Take out and turn over.  Bake an additional 15 minutes or until crispy.

Srirachi Dipping Sauce:

tablespoon Srirachi sauce
tablespoon of lime juice
8 oz. Greek yogurt
salt and pepper

In a small bowl, whisk Srirachi sauce and lime juice. 

Add in the Greek yogurt.

Season with salt and pepper.

Whisk well.

Serve fries with dipping sauce on a platter.

Watermelon Popsicles:
There is nothing to "make" here...just grab some watermelon and craft sticks.  Slice watermelon into triangles.  Use a knife and cut a small slit in the rind.  Insert craft stick and you have a popsicle!
Enjoy a little watermelon with this meal to cool off your taste buds!

Mountain Dew Cake:

1 box lemon cake mix
1 small box instant lemon pudding
1 can (12 ounces) Mountain Dew
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil

This is one of the easiest desserts I have made!  Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grab your mixer.

In a mixing bowl, add lemon cake mix,

Lemon pudding mix,

Eggs,

Oil,

Mountain Dew.

Mix on low for first 30 seconds.

Increase speed to medium for another 2 minutes.

Grease a Bundt pan with cooking spray.

Pour in the batter.

Look at that beautiful color!

Bake for 35 minutes and check to see if it is done.  It may take an additional 10 minutes depending on your oven.

Take out and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.

Flip onto a plate and top with powder sugar.

For serving, make some whipped cream and chop some strawberries.

The perfect Summer dessert!