anyone had elk?

[GQgeek]

wondering if it's any good and how gamey it is?

 

[Cary Grant]

Like deer- depends on where it's from/been eating. Farmed elk (where all retail comes from as far as I know) is usually fed grass, alfalfa hay, grains... I've had hunted elk a few times and found it richer, tastier.

I don't find it gamey and rare is a must IMO. I think it makes GREAT tartare.

 

[braised]

Generally speaking, Elk is milder than venison.

I've eaten it on several occasions, beasts that my father shot (so wild) and in restaurants (so farmed). The tenderloin and rack are fantastic as steaks. The rest is best cooked wet, if not ground and used in lots of different ways

The comments about tartare and rare are critical - the meat is very lean so there little muscular fat to keep it moist and onve the protein is totally de-natured, it pushes out all of the moisture leaving little flavor.

Damn good eats.

B

 

[Cary Grant]



Generally speaking, Elk is milder than venison.
I've eaten it on several occasions, beasts that my father shot (so wild) and in restaurants (so farmed). The tenderloin and rack are fantastic as steaks. The rest is best cooked wet, if not ground and used in lots of different ways
The comments about tartare and rare are critical - the meat is very lean so there little muscular fat to keep it moist and onve the protein is totally de-natured, it pushes out all of the moisture leaving little flavor.
Damn good eats.
B

Agreed.

 

[Lord-Barrington]



wondering if it's any good and how gamey it is?

I've had it several times and it's ranged from fantastic to awful. It's a tricky meat to prepare but when done well it has a very interesting taste that is rich without being overpowering. When done poorly it's just chewy, bland, and gross.

 

[Baron]

I had some a few years ago. Actually, my friend and I both ordered it and sent it back - it was inedibly awful. I could tell that the waiter was pissed, thinking we didn't understand wild game, but it tasted like a rusty nail. It was horrible.

 

[tattersall]

More trouble than it's worth. Like Baron says it can take on a strong iron taste.

 

[CYstyle]



I had some a few years ago. Actually, my friend and I both ordered it and sent it back - it was inedibly awful. I could tell that the waiter was pissed, thinking we didn't understand wild game, but it tasted like a rusty nail. It was horrible.

Had that happen to me too. Disgusting.

although my uncle who goes hunting, gets a fair share of elk and the way his chefs prepare it is always good.

 

[gamelan]

have had the elk medallion dish a few times at the Lakefront in Mammoth Lakes, CA. highly recommended. they don't even give you an option of cooking it any other way besides rare. i didn't find the meat particularly gamey at all.

-Jeff

 

[eg1]

My daughter loves elk-burgers.

 

[HORNS]

I've had elk many times and the two best dishes have been braised elk shanks and chicken-fried elk.

 

[FLMountainMan]

Had it a couple of times when I worked for Fish & Game, all wild. Loved the taste. It was a little iron-y, but when rare was delicious.