Modern Wild Man ~Elk Steak on the Grill~

Modern Wild Man

Rib Eye Elk Steaks on the Grill  

The bounty of the hunt is an amazing way to celebrate our time outdoors and to honor the game we pursue.  As hunters and outdoorsmen we become conversationalists, biologists and protectors of the wildlife we pursue.  At Modern Wild Man we strive to use every part of the animal that we can, and to nourish our family's body and soul.

Check out a Modern Wild Man elk hunting story here!

Steaks on the grill are pretty darn hard to beat.  These elk steaks were cut from the rib eye, or back strap, as it is often referred to.  This recipe could easily be adapted to venison, bear or even antelope. 

Modern Wild Man Elk Steaks

Ingredients-

4 or 5 rib eye elk steaks 8 to 12 ounces each

1 T olive oil

1/2 C Worcestershire sauce 

1 t liquid smoke

1/4 C balsamic vinegar

1 t seasoned salt

1 gallon zip top bag

Steaks should be cleanly cut and trimmed of any excess fat and connective tissue.  Start with steaks that are completely thawed.  Add the steaks to the zip top bag and all the marinate ingredients.  Give everything a nice shake, mix, rub.  Stow the bag with the steaks in a bowl to catch any leaks in the bottom of the fridge for at least four hours, overnight is better.

When you are ready for grilling magic, set the bowl with the steaks in a bag out to bring to room temperature.  Heat your grill to 400 - 500 degrees and lay those beautiful slabs of goodness on the grill with a sizzle.  Lay them on the grill and don't touch them, flip them, push or poke them.  Let em grill that side down for a good 3 to 5 minutes depending on how well done you like them.  

I prefer my steak rare to medium rare.  Three minutes on one side and a flip for three minutes is about right for me.  Depending on how thick you cut your steaks and how hot your grill is and stays will determine your cooking time.  My advice, pull them about a minute or two before you think they are done.

Put the steaks on a plate or cookie sheet that has been warmed in the oven at 200 degrees or so and cover the whole thing with foil.  Let those delicious medallions rest, all those incredible juices will redistribute in the meat and not run all over your plate.  Set the table, dish up the sides, say grace, have a toast, but let those steaks rest for a minute or two at least.

Here is the key to serving wild game that is grilled well.  If you can, try and set the table with warm plates right from the dishwasher.  You know when you first open a finished dishwasher cycle and steam rolls out like a volcano.  Grab a clean hot pad or tea towel and set your dinner table with hot plates and slide gorgeously grilled steaks that had resting time onto them.

Serve up a side like steamed or grilled veggies, a sweat potato and maybe some course grated horse radish on the side and you have a meal fit for a king.  

The next time you are processing the gift of a filled big game tag, save those steaks.  Use this recipe to grill up a family favorite!  You can thank the Modern Wild Man later ~

~ Eat Wild ~   

Check out Modern Wild Man's other blog posts here:

https://modernwildman.blogspot.com/

Like Modern Wild Man elk recipes - check out Sunday Stew.

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Modern Wild Man ~Back to the Pen~

Modern Wild Man

Fall is on the horizon, it's been a great summer.

Fall is creeping back, nights are beginning to get cooler and daylight is shorter and shorter with each passing on the calendar.  This summer has been filled with great adventure, time spent with family and time spent in the wilderness.  At Modern Wild Man I strive for time in the out of doors.  Nature and wilderness bring a sense of wholeness to a man, it helps to provide for a peace or maybe a reconciliation with yourself.

This summer I stepped away from the Modern Wild Man blog for a little while and focused on fatherhood, manhood and husbandry.  Fortunately I was able to spend time this summer on the prairie, in the north woods and in the mountains.  I have traveled miles carried by boots laced tight on snow packed trails, by canoe pulled for days by a silent paddle and across open fields of grass in the saddle this summer.  

So many experiences; so many thoughts about life, family and faith.  Thoughts to share about conservation and wild places, about raising boys and slowing down.  My pen and my journal are full and Modern Wild Man is back on the agenda.

The clarity of extended time in wild places seems to act like both an eraser and a magnifying glass.  When you slow down and find yourself surrounded by wilderness the distractions of modern life and conveniences seem to blur, to fall out of focus and then like a big pink rubber eraser finally they are rubbed out.  At the same time the focus of wilderness is like a magnifying glass, bringing small details and commonly unnoticed items of life into a sharp focus.  The smell of a split piece of firewood, the sound of raindrops on a canoe bow, even the smallest folded blade of green grass on a rocky trail struggling for the warmth of summer become like folded photographs.  Photographs put away in our minds on our adventures, taken in and sorted ready to shine again on a gloomy day remembered by a whiff of a fainting aroma or rhythm that reminds us that we need to get back, back to a wilderness.

Stay tuned my friends, I hope to embark with you on many adventures...

Modern Wild Man in the saddle.