Monday, August 23, 2010

Stuffed Bison Burgers

I posted recently about our day trip to Cumberland Gap with a side trip to Dutch Treats in Rose Hill, Va. While we were there, my son, Eric, ran into a member of his congregation (he’s a Methodist minister – a circuit rider with 3 churches) and later as we talked, he mentioned they owned a gas station/ convenience store that also sold frozen bison meat – their small herd was across the road. So we stopped on the return trip and bought a package of bison short ribs and a few packages of bison burger.

I’d never made stuffed hamburgers and had been planning to use the last of the chipolte pimento cheese (yep, it’s still good) for this purpose, but since I had the bison, I used it rather than beef. For my burger, I made two 3oz patties, spread one with the pimento cheese, some chopped onion, and some crumbled crispy fried bacon, then topped with the other patty and sealed the edges. I seasoned the outside with a little salt, pepper, and Tiger seasoning. For Bev and her sister to share, I made an oblong burger from the remaining 11 oz of meat and stuffed and seasoned it the same way – we had hoagie rolls but no burger buns. I tried to make it so the cheese wouldn’t run out when we cut it.




I grilled them to about 130* internal temperature and ate mine open faced on a piece of Naan bread – needed something to absorb the juices – and put theirs on the hoagie roll which they then split.



We sided it with some reheated leftover cheesy potatoes, also with a little crumbled bacon sprinkled on top. I cooked up about 3 pounds of bacon, using the grill as an oven, this afternoon, so we’d have it for a variety of uses without having to cook a few pieces at time of need – a BLT for example. We store it in the fridge in plastic bags, then just nuke it for a minute or so when needed and it’s just like fresh fried, and only one mess to clean up.



I loved every part of my meal but with so much stuff on/in the burger, I don't think I could tell it was bison - I could tell it was a delicious stuffed burger though. Next time it will be just the basics to see if we can tell the difference between beef and bison, but at $4+ per pound, it'll probably be just an occasional novelty dish. I think I'll call my beef raising neighbor and suggest he consider a switch from cattle to bison.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Larry

12 comments:

  1. Oh, wow, look at that melty cheese!! Stuffed burgers are awesome, I just never take the time...too lazy.

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  2. I can't believe you had pimento cheese left Larry. I don't make it often, but when I do it disappears before I know it.

    A lot of restaurants around here serve bison because they can get around the North Carolina law that says beef has to be cooked to medium well in a restaurant. Seems the law only applies to beef. You can have your bison cooked any way you want it, including rare. I was curious what you thought of the bison burgers and was glad to know it wasn't just me that couldn't tell the difference.
    Sam

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  3. I bet that burger was fantastic! When I posted a bison burger recipe, I was surprised at all the comments I received that so many back east simply can't find bison meat. We've got a steady stream of all kinds of cuts in our markets. Supposed to be better for you.

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  4. Yum! I never thought of stuffing burger with pimiento cheese and bacon - how could that not be delicious?! Using buffalo instead of beef would cut come of the calories, too - nice! I buy the giant bag of chopped bacon at Costco and leave in the freezer for things like this.

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  5. Yum, what an awesome burger! I like your idea of using naan bread to soak up all that juicy goodness. Another delicious post, Larry.

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  6. Larry it looks fantastic! I love the tatoes too. Thanks for giving me all sorts of ideas. lol I've got a few packs of buffalo burger in the freezer to use up. You've inspired me! :)

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  7. Looks delicious, Larry. I've only had bison once (when we were visiting family in Raleigh). We went to a restaurant which specialized in it... Very good--but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it again.
    Betsy

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  8. I just adore bison! Now, I've only had it at the Terry Bison Ranch in Cheyenne, because I can't find it locally, but I love it just the same. Beautiful burgers.

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  9. Bison is a lean and flavorful meat. I would have been trying to stuff my bison burger with blue cheese :-)
    As always, your meal rocks.

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  10. Don't think bison is readily available anywhere down in this part of the world that I'm aware of, but if I were, bet I'd be priced out of it! At any rate love a good burger of any kind stuffed with pimento cheese so I'm sure it was delish! Sure looks it.

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  11. Sounds yummy. We have a neighbor who raises bison. As others have said, bison is better for you than beef, naturally leaner. Sometimes it's worth the extra cost.

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  12. When I've done buffalo burgers, I did them like you...added some fat (80/20 beef added in) and cheese...that it might as well just been beef;)

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