Author: Emily Gautreaux

Grilled Bison Burgers Worth Trying

Are you tired of your basic beef burger? Look to Allrecipes for a delicious alternative: Grilled Bison Burgers! Bison are North America’s largest land animals, and for hundreds of years, bison have served as the most significant animal to many North American indigenous peoples. Skins were used for clothing and shelter, bones used for broths and then tools, and meat for plentiful meals and fat for making things like soap. Each animal typically weighs anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 tons, depending on sex. A bison typically stands at a stature of 6 to 6.5 feet tall and 10 to 12.5 feet long. The hump between a bison’s shoulder is made up of muscle, supported by long vertebrae.

Low in fat, grilled bison burgers contain 90% lean and only 10% fat. Bison meat can be found in many grocery stores, warehouse retailers, natural food stores, local butcher shops, and online. If you have difficulty locating bison meat near you, BisonFinder is the first app dedicated to locating quality bison meat and byproducts near you. It can be downloaded from the iTunes or Google Play stores for free.

For this particular recipe, you will require an outdoor grill, a bowl, a baking sheet, aluminum foil, and a meat thermometer.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Begin by preparing the outdoor grill. First, lightly oil the grate of the grill with olive oil cooking spray. Preheat the grill to a high heat. For safe cooking conditions, a good rule of thumb to follow is to allow the grill to heat for about 15 minutes before beginning any grilling.

As your grill preheats, use this time to make your bison patties. If not yet ground, grind your bison meat. Once this is complete, take your ground bison meat, Panko crumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic, and pepper and mix them together by hand in a bowl. Separate the resulting mixture into fourths, forming 4 patties. Place the patties on your baking sheet and cover them with aluminum foil. Refrigerate until chilled. This should take approximately 15 minutes.

Once chilled, uncover the patties and spray them with some olive oil cooking spray and place them on the grill. Grill until hot and slightly pink in the center, spending about 5 minutes per side. Add a slice of cheese atop each burger and continue cooking for a couple more minutes, or enough time for the cheese to melt depending on how well you wish your burger to be cooked. Test your meat’s safety by measuring the center of your burger with a meat thermometer. It should read 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or 60 degrees Celsius, when inserted into the center of the bison burger.

Finish your burger with a bun and any other garnishes you would like.

Lastly, enjoy this fresh take on the burger!

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The Four Longest Mountain Ranges in The World

Travel Trivia is a fun site with great travel info and trivia.  We love the recent article about the longest mountain ranges.  Mountain chains formed from similar soil and rock around the same age, sweeping across countries and sometimes, entire continents. Earth’s expansive mountain ranges stretch thousands of miles, with the longest range reaching over 4,000 miles. The world’s 4 longest mountain ranges are:

4) Transantarctic Mountains  (Length: 2,200 miles)

The fourth longest mountain range measures about 2,200 miles across the entire continent of Antarctica. The Transantarctic Mountains divide Antarctica into two halves — West Antarctica and East Antarctica. It serves as an icy wall that divides the continent in twain. An estimated 98% of the Transantarctic Mountains are covered in ice. This makes the majority of these mountains inaccessible. The highest peak is known as Mount Kirkpatrick, which reaches a ginormous height of 14,855 feet above sea level. Research has shown that more diverse plant and reptile life once existed in these mountains, as shown through the discovery of fossils, but in the modern day, the conditions in these mountains are more suited for penguins.

3) Rocky Mountains  (Length: 3,000 miles)

While it is only the third longest mountain range in the world, the Rocky Mountains are the longest mountain range in the continent of North America. Colloquially known as ‘the Rockies”, these mountains span 3,000 miles through two countries, stretching from northern British Columbia (Canada) down to New Mexico (USA).  Mount Elbert, the highest peak of this range, is found at 14,439 feet above sea level in Colorado. The Rockies formed 80 million to 55 million years ago. Since the last ice age approximately 12,000 years ago, the Rockies have been home to many indigenous peoples of the Americas, such as the Apache, Arapaho, Bannock, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Coeur d’Alene, Crow Nation, Dunne-za, Flathead, Kalispel, Kutenai, Sekani, Shoshone, Sioux, Ute, and others. Many of these peoples hunted the now-extinct mammoth and now-endangered bison in the valleys surrounding the mountains. A majority of the mountain range is government-owned and protected park lands.

2) Southern Great Escarpment (Length: 3,100 miles)

Coming in second on this list, the Southern Great Escarpment is an African mountain range that spreads across 3,100 miles over the countries of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, and Angola. The highest peak of the Southern Great Escarpment is 11,424 feet above sea level. This peak is located in South Africa and locally called the Drakensberg. Some 180 million years ago, the Southern Great Escarpment formed. Today, the part of the mountain chain located in South Africa exists atop basalt lava with soft sandstones underneath, setting it apart from most rockier mountain ranges.

1) Andean Mountains (Length: 4,350 miles)

The Andean Mountains, most commonly referred to as The Andes, reach 4,300 miles long across southern Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and end in Venezuela. This range contains many active volcanoes, including one called Ojos del Salado on the border of Argentina and Chile. Ojos del Salado is the highest active volcano at a height of 22,615 feet above sea level. Alongside the mountains run high plateaus housing major cities like Bogota, Cali, Medellin, La Paz, and Quito. One plateau in the Andes, the Altiplano plateau, is the second-highest plateau in the world after the first-highest, the Tibetan plateau. This expansive mountain range is so long it is divided into three major categories based on climate: the Tropical Andes (located in northern countries), the Dry Andes (in Chile, northwest Argentina and Bolivia) and the Wet Andes (in CHile and Argentina at certain latitudes where there is more precipitation).

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5 of the Best Restaurants in the World

Last week, the awards ceremony for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants was held in Singapore. At this ceremony, restaurants from all over the globe were celebrated and the masterminds behind the eateries recounted the stories that inspire their food. Amongst the best fifty, five of the owners and chefs shared the culinary travel destinations they are most inspired by.  Forbes gives us the details.

Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, New York City

Le Bernardin in New York City was birthed in Paris by siblings Maguy and Gilbert Le Coze in 1972. Known for its simple, yet elegant fish dishes, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 1976, and two more in 1980. In 1986, siblings Maguy and Gilbert opened Le Bernardin in New York City. After Gilbert’s tragic and unexpected death in 1994, Maguy started working with Gilbert’s disciple, Eric Ripert, who took the reigns of the kitchen at Le Bernardin.

Ripert expresses his interest in Asia, remarking that he cherishes China, Taiwan, India, and Singapore. He states that when he travels, he is less concerned with fine dining, but more concerned with restaurants that pique his interest:

“In Singapore, for instance, I go to the hawker centers as well as restaurants like Odette. I go with the mind of the consumer, not a chef. I don’t want to scrutinize what they’re doing. I just want to eat well and have that experience.”

Bertrand Grébaut and Théo Pourriat of Septime, Paris

Septime in Paris specializes in micro-seasonality. One of the restaurants most impressive dishes is said to be roasted cauliflower paired with seaweed and horseradish butter. Other dishes include turbot with bacon, Brussels sprouts, and a mushroom sauce, and white asparagus paired with oysters, hazelnuts, and clotted cream.

Bertrand Grébaut states that this year he would like to go to Mexico to ease his curiosity of Mexican cuisine. He also states that he loves the simplicity of Italian food. On the other hand, Théo Pourrait expresses his love for the “spontaneous, puncy, and fresh” aspects of Thai street food.

Thomas and Mathias Sühring of Sühring, Bangkok

Sühring in Bangkok was formed when twins Thomas and Mathias Sühring moved into a 1970s villa in Bangkok, which they lightly remodeled into a hybrid of a home and a restaurant. After working in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Thailand, they sought to share their version of German cuisine inspired by travel, childhood memories, and family recipes through Sühring.

Mathias states that he gathers inspiration from anywhere he and his brother travel, but Japan stands out to him the most since they travel there almost yearly. Thomas agrees, adding that there are so many remarkable restaurants in Japan that they are prepared to visit the country many more times. In reference to the allure of Japan, Mathias states, “There’s so much to discover and so many quality ingredients. Everything in Japan is different to what you’ll find anywhere else in the world.”

Danny Yip of The Chairman, Hong Kong

The Chairman in Hong Kong seeks to continue the 2,000 year history of Cantonese cuisine. They take pride in using locally sourced ingredients, including products from local condiment stores and seafood from local fisherman. They take a traditional approach to cooking and believe that constructing simple dishes requires the highest level of skill.

Danny Yip gains inspiration from traveling across China to discover forgotten ingredients in small villages. He expresses that he feels most inspired by the city of Yunan, since there are so many tribes dwelling in the area. He states, “There are huge mountains, rivers and the seashore. The ingredients are incredible. I thought I knew the ingredients in this region until I went to the market and could only recognise half of them. China is such a big place. Just one area can have so many things I’ve never seen.”

Peter Goossens of Hof van Cleve, Belgium

Hof van Cleve in Belgium cherishes uniqueness. They believe that you can taste with all of your senses, therefore they have carefully curated not only their menu, but also the farmhouse-style restaurant’s atmosphere. Most products are locally sourced from Belgium, but some international ingredients are also utilized for final touches and flair.

Peter Goossens states that even though Hof van Cleve is a Belgian restaurant, he has been inspired by Japanese cuisine and implemented the country’s style into his dishes:

“Japanese cuisine is very light and pure with ponzu, dashiand soy sauce. And they know how to prepare the fish skilfully. Now we use the ike jime method to kill fish for the restaurant and we make our own ponzu.”

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Nicholls Ranks Top in Health Sciences

Thibodaux’s Nicholls State University’s health sciences degree program has been recognized as one of the best in the United States by a reputable healthcare degree program source. This source provides helpful information to those considering a degree in healthcare administration, including reviews on programs offered by various universities, interactive articles, and FAQ guides. On the website, they briefly share their mission:

“At Healthcare Administration Degree Programs, we provide resources to help you learn about both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in healthcare administration. We have information concerning online programs as well as traditional degree-granting institutions. Additionally, we have many articles and links that address important topics affecting healthcare administration today. Our FAQ section provides answers to common questions about healthcare administration and the degree programs that can prepare you for work in this field. We even have interactive articles to help you learn and understand the issues affecting work in healthcare today.”

Out of the twenty-five schools in the ranking, Nicholls State University ranked at Number 14. It was also the only school in Louisiana included on the list.

The website utilizes data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the federal program that gathers and analyzes education-related data in the United States and other nations. NCES is based in the United States Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences, and satisfies a Congressional mandate to collect and analyze the state of American education. The data collected from NCES is used to review factors such as post-graduation pay rates, student retention rates, and average SAT scores of students who were accepted. The website also relies on student reviews before issuing schools a score between zero and one hundred.

The website nodded to the comprehensive curriculum, intended for entry-level students and healthcare professionals, of Nicholls’ Allied health sciences. Combined with reviews from students and the program’s affordability, Nicholls was given a score of 81.8 out of 100. The lowest awarded score on the list was 77.23, issued to Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, while the highest awarded was 100, issued to Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

In response to the ranking, Jennifer Plaisance, the allied health sciences department head at Nicholls State University, remarks:

“It’s exciting when someone from outside of our campus can recognize the accomplishments of our program. Rankings such as this one validate the hard work of our faculty, who pour a lot of time and resources into ensuring our students are successful in the classroom and the real world. We pride ourselves on our graduates having the confidence and the foundation to learn whatever skills are required to be a professional in the workforce.”

The allied health sciences department is one of the most frequented departments at Nicholls. The department is also state-known for its effective and efficient training which yields productive graduates. Degree choices include either dietetics of health sciences, and the concentration options are pre-professional, pre-athletic training, communicative disorders, or nutrition and food services. The program states that its mission is “… to prepare students to contribute to a global society and a diverse workforce as productive, responsible, and engaged citizens, and as well-educated allied health professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the Bayou Region and beyond.”

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Beef Bourguignon Anyone Can Make

Looking for the perfect hearty meal? Martha Stewart has given the perfect recipe for a filling Beef Bourguignon. The total preparation and cooking time takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes. But the preparation itself only takes 40 minutes. This meal will serve about 8 people, which is perfect for larger families or dinner parties.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 pounds of boneless beef rump roast. They need to be cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces of button mushrooms.  They need to be trimmed and quartered if they are too large
  • 4 carrots, cut and peeled into 1-inch pieces
  • 10 ounces of pearl onions.  They need to be peeled
  • 5 strips of bacon.  It needs to be cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon of butter, cut up
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
  • 1 garlic clove.  It needs to be smashed and peeled
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Ground pepper
  • Coarse salt
  • 3 cups of dry red cooking wine

UTENSILS

DIRECTIONS

The first step to this delicious beef bourguignon is to preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Take the large dutch oven or pot and place the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in. Turn the burner on to medium-high heat. Once the oil is slightly heated, add the mushrooms to the pot. They need to be browned, which will take about 10 minutes. Once the mushrooms are done, take them out of the pot and place them onto the plate.

The next step is to season the beef. Use the salt and pepper to generously season the meat. Once you are done, add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot that you cooked mushrooms in. Begin to brown the beef, doing it in batches. It will take about 2 to 3 minutes each batch. If the oil starts to run out add up to 1 tablespoon of oil per batch. Make sure to watch the pot to know when to add the oil.

Once the beef is done cooking transfer it to the other plate. Save 1 tablespoon of fat in the pot and pour the rest of it out. This is when the bacon needs to be cooked. Add the bacon to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes or until the bacon is browned.

The tomato paste needs to be added next. Stir the bacon and tomato paste for about 30 seconds and then add the flour. Also stirring for 30 seconds to cook. Take the plate of beef and add it back to the pot. Add the wine, bay leaf, garlic, and broth. Bring the pot to a boil. Place the top on top of the pot and place the pot into the oven. This should be cooked for 1 ½ hours. Once the timer goes off, add the carrots and onions.

Continue to cook for another hour to an hour and a half (until the meat is tender). 15 minutes before the time is done, add the mushrooms to the pot. Once it is done cooking, remove the pot from the oven and stir the butter into the stew. Top it with parsley, serve and enjoy a delicious bowl of beef bourguignon.

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The Lorrain Bridge in Calcasieu Parish

Louisiana is a state with a rich history. From well known locations such as the Buckner Mansion (even more so known as the house used in American Horror Story: Coven) to people such as Odell Beckham, Jr., Louis Armstrong, and Hank Williams, Jr., Louisiana is a state with such a diverse history that it’s almost impossible to believe. Louisiana is also full of a smaller scale history that most people don’t know.

One of those cherished pieces of history is a bridge hidden in plain sight in the southwest corner of Jefferson Davis Parish.  KATC reported on the bridge and here are the details.

The Lorrain Bridge sits above the slow waters of the Bayou Lacassine and connects Jefferson Davis Parish with Calcasieu Parish. It sets the background for Lorrain Park and is used by locals to take photographs, spend time with loved ones, and, oftentimes, get married.

The original Lorrain Bridge was built during the 1800s when the Lorrain family came to Louisiana from France. Originally, the Lorrain Bridge was constructed as a drawbridge between Lacassine and Bell City- primarily used to service a local saw mill. It was also used as transportation for local farmers and as the main way to move cattle in the area. This changed at the turn of the 20th century when the bridge was damaged and replaced with a wooden span.

The wooden span remained for over a hundred years- the drawbridge portion being taken out of service during the 1950s. As time continued, the bridge took a lot of damage from wind, rain, and other natural occurrences. It was closed to the public and, eventually, announced to be completely demolished. After hearing the news, the local community came together to prevent the bridge’s destruction and save their piece of history.

Through the powers of Jefferson Davis Parish, Calcasieu Parish, and the Lorrain Bridge Association, the community, joined by descendants of the Lorrain family that built the bridge, saved the bridge. Together, the community raised upwards of $300,000. The community, however, did not stop at successfully saving the bridge. Their funds were also used to build a new one. The new Lorrain Bridge was completed and opened for traffic once again in 2004. In true Louisiana fashion, some of the old deck planks are now a part of a new visitors’ center to serve as a tribute to the old bridge.

The Lorrain Bridge is a current testament to the historic side of Louisiana. The design and construction of the bridge are so incredibly unique that the bridge is being considered for the National Historic Register. The bayou air is filled with the sounds of birds with cypress trees along the banks. Moss hangs beautifully from the trees. The sight is a testament to the classic beauty of southern Louisiana.

The Lorrain Bridge is located near Bell City, Louisiana between Jennings and Lake Charles. At the foot of the bridge is Lorrain Park. The park has an outdoor pavilion, camper and tent sites, a boat launch, and picnic tables. There are nine RV camper sites with electricity that are available for renting.

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