Elk Burger Redux And More.

Ross and I cut and hauled and handsplit about 2 cords of wood these last 2 exquisite fall days. We ate meatloaf style elk burgers this time( moist and tender, more flavor than straight elk), breaded zucchini sticks fried in olive oil, sauteed largemouth bass and bluegill topped with with garden fresh pesto and tomatoes , drank Cabernet and Pinot Noir and talked of old times. It was all good.  I'm a chef. He's a winemaker. A shared history of good food, wine and memorable times. We were boy scout camp counselors at Many Point Scout Camp NE of Detroit Lakes, Mn  back in the 60's.
         Prior to that as a scout I had flunked cooking merit badge three times, once after frying pork chops in vaseline because I had forgot to bring cooking oil on the canoe trip. I thought that vaseline would work because it was slippery like cooking oil. It didn't.
        A yr or two later in Detroit Lakes, I would meet and hang out with Jessica Lange the actress,before she was Jessica Lange if you know what I mean, although she did have the same
 name. She was smart, somewhat affected(as if she knew what her future would be; also naive - she did not yet know how to inhale the smoke of a cigarette but did it unknowingly with great style), and strikingly beautiful. The big screen never did her looks justice.

        Cut your zucchini into 3 inch by 1/4 inch strips and dip in eggwash and seasoned flour and place in a half inch of med hot oil. Cook till golden and turn, cooking till golden on the flip side. Drain on paper towels. Season with sea salt, granulated garlic and ground cayenne pepper. Eat. The zucchini is so moist that you do not need a dipping sauce, but if you must you can use red sauce, ranch dressing or pesto( my favorite).

       Dredge your fish filets in seasoned flour and saute' in olive oil for a couple of minutes till golden, turn over, add cherry tomatoes cut in half, spoon pesto on top of filets, add 1/2 cup white wine to pan, cook about 2 minutes till done. Plate filets and pour sauce and tomatoes over filets. The tomatoes( garden fresh) and pesto add a depth, richness and complexity to the fish that doesn't overwhelm the natural freshwater flavor of the fish.

      Elk burgers done meatloaf style - with the addition of eggs, breadcrumbs and seasonings - salt, pepper, garlic, cayenne, worcestershire - produce a burger that is moist and tender . Caramelized onions and a sauce of 2/3  ketchup and 1/3 mustard and tabasco to taste complete this perfect venison burger.