Bistro Bison

Tonight we feasted on grass fed bison from the farmers' market.  To be honest, the thought of eating bison made me feel a tiny bit queasy.  I wondered if it was going to have a gamey flavor or a taste I just couldn't get out of my mouth.  So when I started to cook this meal I was a bit timid.  As the hours went on the house smelled so incredible that I became hopeful.  I steamed broccoli and sauted mushrooms for sides.  Finally, it was time to take the bison out of the oven.  We all were anxious to try this healthy, lean meat.  My husband gave it a thumbs up and said it was much better than he had expected.  1 of 3 took and tiny piece and said it was good but she didn't want anymore.  I had a bit and quite liked it.  I do think that this may be a meat that I am going to have to acquire a taste for before I just love it.  I am willing to keep trying bison for the health benefits. 

"Health Benefits of Bison

• Grass-fed Bison provides nutrient dense, low fat, low cholesterol meat with as many Omega-3s per serving as salmon, and three to six times the amount of omega-3s as grain fed animals.
• It contains the highest-know levels of the fat-blocker and anti-carcinogen, CLA (conjugated linolaic acid). Research on CLA is showing evidence that CLA has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes, and a number of immune disorders.
• It also has high concentrations of selenium, a natural trace element that acts as a mood elevator. The original "happy meal". In research conducted by Dr. Martin Marchello at the Carrington Research Extension Center, grass fed Bison was determined to contain as much as four times more selenium than grain fed Bison.
• Bison fits the dietary recommendations of the American Heart and American Diabetes associations.
• Grass-fed Bison contains four times the amount of vitamin E found in grain fed beef. It is also a rich source of the vitamin beta-carotene, a vital antioxidant which reduces the risk of cancer by preventing cell degeneration."

http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=3&ID=100


Here is the recipe we got from the farmers' market.  Enjoy!!

HIGH COUNTRY BISON RECIPE
Mexican Beer Braised Bison Roast with Onions

4 lbs. bison chuck roasr

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

2Toil

2 Ibs onions, thinly sliced

3 large garlic cloves

2 tsp. mexican oregano

2 tsp. cumin

2 bay leaves

1 chipotle pepper

12 oz mexican beer (Negro Modelo, Bohemia)

1 cup water

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Pat roast dry and rub with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.

Heat oil in oven proof, 5 quart, heavy pot over medium high heat until hot. Brown meat

on all sides. Transfer to plate.

Add onions to pot and saute, stirring until golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic,

oregano, cumin, chipotle pepper, remaining salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 2

minutes. Deglaze mixture with beer and water, add bay leaves. Bring to a boil, return

meat to pot and cover.

Braise in oven until tender - approximately 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Let stand uncovered in

onion sauce about 30 minutes. Remove meat and shred returning to onion mixture.