Bison Burgers with Feta, Spinach and Caramelized Onions on Mixed Greens with Baked Sweet Potater Tot

It is already noon and it will be dark by 5. I hate this time of year. It means that I have to be so much more organized for dinner by mid-day with the afternoon so short. Need to go to town once I am sure of my ingredients and still exercise the horses. I know, I know. I should have had all the horse work done SO much earlier but I am still on the couch listening to my #1 DW (Dishwasher) play guitar in the next room, making another pot of coffee, thinking if I want the chicken mole that I made last night for lunch, if I have tortillas in the freezer, realize I still have guacamole so of course I want mole...see why I am still on the couch? Must tell you that I did feed this morning and clean the stalls and hiked for an hour - Great accomplishment today's hike - the dogs stayed next to me a la Cesar Milan and did not chase even a calf.
So gotta get to the feed store for the horses and SaveMart for us.

Bison Burgers with Feta, Spinach with Caramelized Onions on Mixed Greens & Sweet Po-TaterTots



Method: I want to start with the burgers so they can chill and "set" for 20 minutes while I prep the rest of the dinner. So first I pour a drink, and turn on NPR- I am currently wild about Titos Vodka so I am having a finger pour on ice with a few spicy home-cured olives from nearby Lindsay, CA. It helps the news go down a little easier so I am informed but relaxed. If you are not drinking alcohol - just pour a little pomegranate/blueberry juice in a tall glass with ice and seltzer. Add a little lemon. You will feel special and so will the food you make.


Bison Burgers (makes 3 - good sized burgers)
(the cheese and spinach makes up for the lack of fat so creates a better burger)
1lb Ground Bison meat
8 oz frozen spinach, thawed ( so I need to high tail it to the store and ride after)
2 ounces crumbled goat feta
1 tsp dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
Put ground meat into a medium sized bowl. Add 1/2 tsp salt and a few grinds of pepper. Squeeze the spinach dry by pressing in the caulander with a paper towel (of if you are very green - use a clean tea towel). Add the spinach and feta to the ground meat and mix using your bare hands. That way you will not over-mix and it puts a little of your spirit into the meal. Form 3 patties and put on a plastic covered plate.(Then you will have one less dish to wash!) Put in the fridge while you do the potatoes.
Oven Baked Sweet Potater Tots (double this for 4-5 people)
2 extra large sweet potatoes, cut into cubes
2 TB olive oil
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1" cubes. This shape reminds me of when I was a kid and loved tater tots. Put in a bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika. Mix well with a wooden spoon and spread on a baking sheet. Don't let the pieces touch if you can help it. Put in to oven preheated to 4o0. Bake 10 minutes then remove and turn over with a spatula or tongs. Bake 10 more minutes until brown and tender. Caramelized Onions
1 onion (to be cut into slices and sauteed)
2 Tb olive oil, or combination of butter and oil
3/4 cup white wine (sauvignon blanc is good but whatever you have left over will do. Or you can use chicken broth)
Cut the onion in half and cut in thin slices. Heat 1 Tb olive oil in a heavy skillet on medium high. Cook 3 minutes until just starting to take on color. Add 1/4 cup wine and stir . When liquid evaporates repeat. Do one more time. Onions should be be brown and soft. Put into a bowl until ready to serve.
Return the pan to heat and add 1 Tb olive oil. Take burgers out of the fridge and place into pan. Cook burgers 4 minutes on each side. Do not overcook! They are leaner than beef and have better flavor and texture if they are medium.

Garlic Aioli (you can also use 1 cup commercial mayo and mix in the garlic and scallions)
1 box Silken tofu (soft)
3 medium cloves garlic
1 tb chopped scallions or chives or parley
1 1/2 Tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
Put all ingredients in a cuisinart. Blend for 1 minute - its really that easy- you are done.

( By the way I HATE electric ovens and cook tops but I am stuck with one)

Mixed Greens
4 oz Baby greens (organic and local as possible)
1 medium tomato cut into wedges (also organic - anything with a skin you eat has to be organic)
1/2 cucumber, cut in half and then 1/2 inch slices.
any other "vegetable" you love like: radishes, cannelini beans, olives, jicama, avocado.
Toss all into a bowl with a little salt and pepper and a drizzle of GOOD olive oil - like this one Bozzano - California -


Putting it all together:
For each serving- pile the mixed greens on a plate, top with the burger, cover with the caramelized onions and a dab of aioli. You can eat this by cutting a bite at a time like the #1 DW or like I do - Cut up the whole thing at once, mix it together and make a Bison burger salad extravaganza. Serve the "fries" on a side plate with ketchup, if you like it. ENJOY!!