WILD GAME – A CRASH COURSE

This summer we are celebrating high altitude dining in the Alberta Rockies.

We can’t tell the story of eating in the mountains without talking about the incredible game used by local chefs and offered in local butcher shops. Some, of course, hunt their own. Here’s your crash course on wild game.

WORD TO THE WISE

When preparing game meats, it pays to keep in mind that as a rule they will have less fat than domestically farmed meats. Elk, for example, won’t have the marbling that you’re used to seeing in the ribeyes from your butcher shop. A good marinade can work wonders, and cooking methods such as braising and roasting will yield great results. Leaner meats also tend to cook faster, so lower the temperatures a bit and be careful not to overcook.

HUNTING IN ALBERTA

Alberta has a great resource for those interested in exploring the prospect of bringing game to their table. HarvestYourOwn.ca is an online resource and social community, dedicated to helping with the learning curve of harvesting your animal and transforming it into delicious meals to be proud of. With education,
hunting mentors, recipes, podcasts and more, Harvest Your Own is a great place to get started!

We’re hunter-gatherers by nature. But with life being what it is, the only hunting most of us to do these days is online. Since the instinct is hard-wired into us, it’s understandable there exists an appetite beyond just scouting for bargains on Facebook Marketplace. We think that appetite deserves to be indulged and rewarded. And just as you should never go swimming without a buddy, you should always have a knowledgeable guide when hunting.

While we’re not exactly flush with camo and ammo, Savour Calgary’s happy to take you on this crash course on wild game.

Why game? Well, you’ve heard the expression “think outside the box.” The supermarkets where many of us shop are big boxes that feed us a comforting array of sameness, week after week, season after season. Adding some variety and shaking things up a bit can do wonders for a culinary routine that’s become too… routine. From a health and nutrition standpoint, many wild game meats are rich in protein and nutrients that can’t be found in the same amounts in everyday domestic fare like beef, pork and chicken.

Before we get down to business, let’s set the table. What are we talking about, when we talk about game? We went hunting for a definition and after a YouTube spiral that ended up on whale sharks (don’t ask), we got back to work and found several. Simply put, in gastronomy, game is the flesh of any wild animal or bird. Game can be further classified into three categories:

Small birds, like quail; Game proper, which is larger birds like goose and duck plus small ground animals like rabbit and hare; and Big game, which includes deer,  elk, moose and boar.

That leaves us asking, what about fish? Are fish game? Yes, fish are game. In Alberta, more than a dozen fish species are considered game fish, caught for sport or food. Our most famous is probably the rainbow trout, and Alberta waters are world famous for extraordinary trout fishing opportunities.

Wander through online fishing forums, and you’ll find plenty of testimony to the superb taste of walleye and burbot–both found in Alberta–as well as perch and high mountain trout. At a barbecue last summer, we were surprised by a friend’s offer of smoked rainbow trout as an appetizer–it was sublime, and made for an unexpected and delightful treat.

The folks at Rocky Mountain Game Meats have been satisfying their loyal customers with locally sourced artisanal meats for almost four decades. Their selection of game meats includes bison, venison, elk, caribou, wild boar and rabbit.

A little hunting, after yoga? Head to Urban Butchers in Calgary’s Mission neighbourhood and choose from its expertly curated selection of meats including, elk, bison, and wild boar. You can also keep the hunt at home, and order online for next-day delivery within Calgary.

Bon Ton Meat Market is another venerable Calgary institution, with a stellar reputation for quality, service, and selection. In addition to its always-comprehensive variety of beef, pork, etc., it offers an impressive selection of more wild choices including bison, venison, elk, quail, pheasant, rabbit, goose, duck and more.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Elk, deer, moose, bear, badger, Rocky Mountain sheep, they’re all out there, roaming the great outdoors. And let’s face it, some of them are pretty darn tasty, especially when prepared with skill. Many Albertans are in touch with the splendor and the spoils of the outdoors, and hunt themselves. Others prefer to let someone else do the “dirty work” but still enjoy a wild game dish. Fortunately, local restaurateurs and butchers are expert at serving up the bounty our province provides. Here are a few of our favourites:

• Big Fish & Open Range: Now with a location in Marda Loop as well as their Renfrew spot, Big Fish & Open Range has long been one of our go-to choices. Try the Elk Sirloin, or the Bison Short Ribs.
• You just can’t go wrong with lunch or dinner at the River Café. Treat yourself to a walk on the wild side of the menu, which includes immaculately prepared, seasonal selections of fish, bison, boar and duck.
• A trip to Banff becomes more memorable with a visit to the legendary Banff Grizzly House. In addition to the beef and lobster fondue, you can also choose the Hunter Fondue — buffalo, wild boar and venison — or go truly exotic with a selection of alligator, rattlesnake or ostrich.