Braised Bison Recipes

BRAISED BISON

Steps:

• For the bison dry rub: Blend the chiles, cumin seeds and corn powder in a spice grinder into a smooth powder and set aside. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the sage, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and keep in a mason jar.
• For the braised bison: Preheat a grill for cooking over medium-high heat and preheat the oven to 225 degrees F.
• Place the bison on a cookie sheet and cover it with oil. Cover with about 5 tablespoons dry rub, thoroughly covering the entire cut. Sear the meat all over on the grill, about 5 minutes per side, then transfer to a Dutch oven and add enough stock to cover the meat halfway. Cover with foil, then the lid and bake until tender, about 12 hours.
• Remove the meat from the hot stock to a cookie sheet and let rest, at least 20 minutes.
• For the chile reduction: Deseed chiles and toast them. Char onion and tomatoes. Put chiles, onion, tomatoes and garlic in a blender along with 2 cups bison stock left behind from cooking the bison and blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Use tongs to pull the meat apart and use your hands to separate the fat (discard the fat).
• Cut meat into smaller pieces and return to the Dutch oven with the hot stock and 1 cup chile reduction.

ȞAŋTé úŋ PTé LOLóBYAPI (CEDAR-BRAISED BISON)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250°F. Season the bison with the salt and 2 tsp maple sugar. Film a Dutch oven or large flame-proof baking dish with the oil and set over high heat. Sear the bison on all sides until dark and crusty, about 10 minutes. Remove the bison and set aside. Stir in the stock and sage, scraping up any of the crusty bits that form on the bottom of the baking dish. Add the remaining maple sugar, hominy, sumac, and maple syrup and return the meat to the baking dish. Cover the Dutch oven or the baking dish tightly. (Use aluminum foil, if necessary.) Place the bison in the oven and cook until so tender it falls from the bone, about 3 hours.
• Remove from the oven. Tent the meat with foil to keep warm. Strain the remaining stock into a saucepan and reserve the hominy. Set the stock over high heat, bring to a boil, and reduce the liquid by half. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Carve the bison and serve over the hominy with the sauce drizzled over the meat.
• Cooks' Note
• To make Corn Stock (Wagmíza Haŋpí): Save the corncobs after you've enjoyed boiled or roasted corn on the cob or you've cut the kernels for use in a recipe. Put the corncobs into a pot and cover with water by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil and partially cover. Reduce the heat and simmer until the stock tastes "corny," about 1 hour. Discard the cobs. Store the stock in a covered container in the refrigerator or freezer.
• To make Wild Rice Stock (Psíŋ Haŋpí): Do not discard wild rice cooking water. It makes an excellent cooking stock for soups, stews, and sauces.