WY FOODIE: New WY Beef Recipe + Meet the Chef

visit our website & read the current issue

A new recipe — thanks to the Wyoming Beef Council!

Carnitas-Style Beef Tacos

Total recipe time: 45 minutes

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

4 beef flat rron steaks (about 8 ounces each)

18 small corn tortillas (6 to 7-inch diameter)

 

Toppings

Minced white onion, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges

 

Marinade

1 cup prepared tomatillo salsa

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

Avocado Salsa

1-1/2 cups prepared tomatillo salsa

1 large avocado, diced

2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup minced white onion

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

Instructions

  1. Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steaks and marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 15 minutes to 2 hours.
  2. Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 10 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.
  3. Meanwhile combine avocado salsa ingredients in medium bowl. Set aside.
  4. Place tortillas on grid. Grill until warm and slightly charred. Remove; keep warm.
  5. Carve steaks into slices. Serve in tortillas with avocado salsa. Top with onion, cilantro and lime wedges, as desired.

MEET THE CHEF: Matty Melehes, Sous Chef

Ever want to look into the life of a professional chef? We interviewed Matty Melehes, JH Fine Dining Restaurant Group Sous Chef, to see what makes him tick…what his favorite eats are…and his must-have recommendation for your kitchen library…

WLM: What sparked your desire to become a chef?

MM: What sparked the desire was the idea that it’s a job that can be done anywhere in the word; the ability to have a trade but also travel. I also just have a passion for hospitality. I love dining and the whole dining experience. I love surprising people with dishes. I love presenting someone with a dish, seeing them enjoy what I’ve created, leave happy and return because they trust my work and what I do. To me, it’s all about the small victories.

WLM: What’s the one thing you enjoy making the most?

Fish, or really anything that comes from the ocean, holds a special place in my heart. The possibilities are endless. You can choose one genre you’d like to base your dish in and there are so many things you can do within that genre.

WLM: If you’re sitting down to enjoy your favorite meal + imbibement, what would you pick?

My ultimate meal would be enjoying a bottle of the Joie Rose (from Canada) while sitting on the dock of the fisherman’s wharf in Granville Island, Vancouver, eating BC spot prawns raw. Basically, you just rip them in half, suck the head and squeeze the meat out. They’re only in season for a few weeks and they are amazing.

WLM: Do you have a favorite go-to cookbook at home? Or are your at-home recipes all inside your brain?

When I’m home, I don’t follow recipes. What I enjoy about cooking is taking what I have, however limited, and coming up with new creations. My favorite culinary book, however, would definitely be The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. It’s an encyclopedia of ingredients that includes a wide range of ingredients from around the world and what pairs well with them. I like the book because it gives you the foundation of the ingredient and from there you can create a dish from the ground up yourself.

Thanks Matty Melehes, JH Fine Dining Group’s Sous Chef for the interview! I have to say, I’m going to take his word on the raw spot prawns… But those I’ve talked to said that he was spot on — pun absolutely intended. Thanks to JH Fine Dining Group — owners of establishments including (but not limited to!) Bin 22, Rendezvous Bistro, Q Roadhouse, Il Villagio Osteria, The Kitchen & Bistro Catering in Jackson…

visit our website & read the current issue

ON THE CALENDAR: July 26, 2013

visit our website & read the current issue

CHEYENNE — CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS, THROUGH JULY 28

Here we go, Cheyenne — CFD is HERE!!! This annual event, the Daddy of ‘Em All, brings visitors from throughout the globe to the state’s capitol. Visit their website for all the details — schedule, events, concerts, carnivals, pancake breakfasts, parades, and of course…RODEO!!!!!  Thanks to our official photographer, Don Christner of Cheyenne & our friend Cliff Cox, who will be providing us with all sorts of great images!

DUBOIS — National Day of the Cowboy, July 26 & 27

Lots of western fun to be had at this great annual event! This year, Longmire fans rejoice! They’ll be incorporating a tip of the hat to WY author Craig Johnson & will feature autographed Longmire Books, bumper stickers & a Red Pony Saloon ball cap or 2 in our NDOC celebration on July 27th. Thank you to Julie @ Two Ocean Books for making all the arrangements! Visit the National Day of the Cowboy Dubois website for more info on this event!

image from www.casperairmodelers.com

CASPER — Casper Air Modelers Fun Fly — July 26-28

Regional Fun Fly for RC Plane Enthusiasts and Spectators

Starting Friday July 26th and continuing through Sunday July 28th, Casper Air Modelers are excited to announce the 2013 Annual Fun Fly and RC Aircraft Fly In. The fly in weekend will provide a great opportunity for air modelers around the region to showcase their models, machines and skills. All ages are welcomed to attend and view model aircraft, flying demonstrations and talk with experts about radio controlled aircraft. Their will be aircraft of all types, shapes and sizes such as large scale airplanes up to 10′ wing spans, micro electric RC aircraft, electric and gas operated helicopters and everything in between. RC pilots are welcomed to attend and fly but an AMA membership is required to conform to insurance regulations. The Casper Air Modelers facility is located just north of the Casper Events Center and just west of the motocross track north of Casper. Models will be on display and flying will be done weather permitting from 8am to 8pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Visit their website for more information!

 

Lander — 5th Annual RiverFest, July 27

Excited to hear that The Lander Art Center will host the 5th Annual Riverfest Art and Music in the Park!

Saturday, July 27th
9:30am-8pm in Lander City Park.

Spend the day in Lander’s beautiful city park enjoying great art, live music, fun activities, and delicious food and drink! This event offers 30 booths of high quality original artwork from local and regional artists. Artwork includes jewelry, metal, woodworking, painting, photography, leather work, ceramics, fiber and paper arts.

There will be artist demonstrations, art activities and face painting from the Lander Art Center and an activity from the Lander Children’s Museum.

This year’s performances include:

Youth dance led by Jackson Hole Dancers Workshop

Buffalo Bill Boycott Band, Lander WY

Drag the River, Fort Collins CO

Chanman Roots Band, Jackson WY
Entry $5, kids free
All proceeds support the Lander Art Center in putting on this event.

image from Wyoming’s Big Show in Sweetwater County — Rock Springs!

COUNTY FAIRS!

Natrona County Fair — It was held earlier in July, but there are LOTS of events happening — check out their website!

Laramie County Fair — August 3-10

Sheridan County Fair — July 26-August 3

Sweetwater County Fair – -Wyoming’s Big Show — July 25-August 4

Albany County Fair — July 26-August 3

Carbon County Fair — August 1-10

Goshen County Fair — July 25-August 4

Platte County Fair

Big Horn County Fair

Fremont County Fair — July 27-August 3

Park County Fair — through July 27

Lincoln County Fair — August 3-10

Converse County Fair

Hot Springs County Fair — July 30-August 3

Niobrara County Fair — July 27-August 3

Johnson County Fair & Rodeo — July 28-August 4

Campbell County Fair — July 26-August 5

Crook County Fair — July 27-August 4

Uinta County Fair — July 25-August 3

Weston County Fair

Washakie County Fair — July 29-August 3

Teton County Fair — through July 28

Sublette County Fair — through July 28

…AND, of course, the Wyoming State Fair is coming! August 10-17!

 

 

 

 

WYOVORE: Welcome to our new Wy Foodie Blog!

READ OUR CURRENT ISSUE OF WYOMING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

VIEW OUR CURRENT ISSUE OF WYOVORE — ON YOUR IPAD OR ORDER YOUR COPY TO COME STRAIGHT TO YOU!

Welcome to our new Wyovore WY Foodie Blog! When it came to creating our bookstore magazine, we chose the name “Wyovore” because we wanted it to reflect the craving we all having for Wyoming…a craving for scenery, history, culture, recreation, food, art…basically, big open skies & adventures and THE WEST. Hence our tagline:  We are Wyovores…What do you crave?

In our new blog series, we’re going to take a look at FOOD. We’re going to introduce Wyoming restaurants to you. We’re going to bring you recipes from Wyoming sources such as the Wyoming Beef Council. We’re going to share what specials & menu changes are happening out there with Wyoming eateries. We’ll explore craft beer and all things Wyoming wine and – and – and – well, you get the idea.

We have more in store from our Wyovore blogs, that will dive away from food and into the pools of other areas of Wyoming adventure… but for now… it’s time to get your mouth watering…

To begin with — need one more summer recipe to try? Here’s one from the Wyoming Beef Council that I imagine would go perfectly with a white wine and a comfy spot at the patio…

Grilled Steak and Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

Steak meet salad.  Salad meet pizza.  A tasty introduction has been made.

 

Total recipe time:  20 to 25 minutes

Makes 4 servings

 

Ingredients

1 to 1-1/4 pounds beef Top Sirloin filets, cut 1 inch thick

1-1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper

2 cups packed fresh baby spinach

1/4 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (3/4 cup)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1-1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

4 naan breads (Indian flatbread) or pita breads

 

Instructions

  1. Press lemon pepper evenly onto steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 12 to 17 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.
  2. Meanwhile, combine spinach, cheese and basil in large bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar; toss to coat and set aside.
  3. Remove steak from grill and let stand 5 minutes. Place naan on grill; grill, covered, 1 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.
  4. Carve steaks into slices. Top naan evenly with spinach mixture and steak slices.

 

Thanks again to the Wyoming Beef Council for sharing this recipe with us! If you are a Wyoming eatery or food business that would like to be featured in our blog, it’s easy to join the party — our new dining guide on our Wyovore website is an annual listing for a small fee. Visit the Altitude Chophouse & Brewery listing to see what we’ve created for them. In addition to images, text and your menu, you can share your restaurant’s latest happenings as often as you want on our food blog! What if you’re not an eatery, but still a food business that wants to be featured? No worries! Email editor@wyolifestyle.com for more details!