Last weekend, my family took a little road trip to Western New York to take my sous chef to his first Buffalo Bills game! The day before the game, we took a little side trip to go see Niagara Falls. The power and natural beauty is something that always fills me with awe, no matter how many times I see it. We walked around Goat Island, boarded Maid of the Mist (which should be renamed “Maid of the Deluge”), and had a generally great time walking around.
When we’re at home, whenever I see someone in Bills gear, I let out a loud, “GO BILLS!” to get their attention (which happened on our hike yesterday, and it turns out that person had been at the Bills/Texans game too). At one point, after seeing probably a quarter of the people in Bills gear at the falls, my sous chef turned to me and said, “Why aren’t you saying ‘Go Bills?'” I explained that unlike at home, in WNY, it’s just implied…and that I didn’t want to lose my voice until the game the next day.
Anyway, after walking around the falls, we trekked a little further North towards Lake Ontario, and we stopped at the Devil’s Hole parking area to take a little riverside walk. It was incredible. The colour of the water looked almost like a Swiss glacial lake. We found the two caves and walked up to the Whirlpool before turning back and walking up the stairs towards the road. On the little path adjacent to the road we found about five Hen of the Woods mushrooms! What a perfect surprise! We harvested two, and we went on our merry to find a Wegmans to figure out what else to make for dinner.
Knowing we were making one meal for three people, we didn’t want to buy anything that would make leftovers…so we picked up a few Kaiser rolls and a pack of Ground Bison (along with a pack of spinach and a tomato). We then decided to go a little funky and mix Buffalo Sauce with red meat…and it worked! Not only was it delicious, but I think it was responsible for the 40-0 thrashing the Bills laid down the next day! GO BILLS!
*This website can’t be used to identify wild mushrooms or ingredients. Do your own independent research, and consume wild mushrooms or ingredients at your own risk.
Time: 20 Minutes
Ingredients:
- Ground Bison
- Your Favourite Buffalo Sauce
- A Bun
- Spinach/Lettuce
- Tomato
- Optional: Maitake/Hen of the Woods Mushrooms
- Optional: Crumbled Blue Cheese
Method:
- If using, wash and cut your Hen of the Woods into slices. Then, heat some oil in a pan, and add in your hen to start cooking. Cook for about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Put your Ground Bison in a bowl, and sprinkle in some salt and pepper. Form your meat into equal sized patties.
- Heat some oil in a large frying pan, and when it’s hot, place your patties into the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side depending on your desired level of doneness.
- As your meat and mushrooms cook, prep your buns with whatever toppings you want.
- When your patties are cooked (we like an internal cooked temp between 150 and 165 degrees F), transfer them onto your bottom bun. Then, if using, place your hen on top of your patty.
- Smother with your Buffalo Sauce.
- Plate, devour, and enjoy!
