Sumac-Dusted Bison with Chanterelle Sauce and Beets

Lean, tender, and mild, bison steaks—sometimes labeled buffalo—pair well with the earthy sauce. Find bison steaks at some gourmet grocers and specialty markets, or online at localharvest.org or blackwing.com. Look for sumac—a tart, almost lemony spice—at gourmet grocers and Middle Eastern markets.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 6 beet halves, 1 bison steak, and about 2 tablespoons sauce)

Ingredients

• Beets:
• 24  baby beets (about 3 pounds)
• 1/4  cup  water
• 1/2  teaspoon  extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/8  teaspoon  salt
• 1/8  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 
  Bison:
• 8  (4-ounce) bison tenderloin steaks (about 3/4 inch thick)
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 2  tablespoons  canola oil, divided
• 1  tablespoon  ground sumac
• 
  Sauce:
• 2  teaspoons  canola oil
• 2  cups  sliced fresh chanterelle mushrooms
• 1  tablespoon  minced shallots
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/8  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1  small garlic clove, minced
• 1  tablespoon  tomato paste
• 2  cups  fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
• 1  tablespoon  minced fresh parsley
• 1  tablespoon  bourbon
• 1  teaspoon  minced fresh thyme
• 1  teaspoon  all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons  water
• 1  tablespoon  chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare beets, leave root and 1-inch stem on beets; scrub with a brush. Place in a 13 x 9–inch baking dish; add 1/4 cup water. Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until tender. Drain; cool slightly. Trim off roots; rub off skins. Cut each beet in half lengthwise; place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle evenly with 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, tossing gently to coat.

3. To prepare bison, sprinkle both sides of bison with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of bison to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining bison and 1 tablespoon oil. Place bison on a broiler pan; sprinkle with sumac. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes or until desired degree of doneness.

4. To prepare sauce, heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, shallots, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and garlic; sauté for 4 minutes or until tender. Add tomato paste; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add broth, parsley, bourbon, and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Combine flour and 2 teaspoons water; add flour mixture to mushroom mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Gradually add butter to mushroom mixture, stirring until butter melts. Serve sauce with bison and beets.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

274

Fat:

8.7g (sat 2.1g,mono 4.1g,poly 1.7g)

Protein:

28.5g

Carbohydrate:

19.1g

Fiber:

1.7g

Cholesterol:

74mg

Iron:

4.7mg

Sodium:

564mg

Calcium:

41mg