Elk Steaks...

Last night the youth group put on a dinner and social with some of the older adults in our ward. It was a big Thanksgiving dinner. It's a tradition for them every year.

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When the assignments went out, I had really high hopes that some of the youth would be learning to cook turkeys. But instead a few parents stepped in and helped out. Our group of girls was assinged a turkey and 5 pies... So I took a turkey to cook for the event. I know! but hey, it was better than me trying to make a pie!!! That really would have been a disaster.

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I was so proud, I was able to touch my raw turkey and give it a good cleaning and rub of herbs. I even stuck my hand down inside to get the "stuff" out of his insides (only ever attempted previously with BIG TONGS, or forcing the teenager to do it).

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Hey after a night of watching the elk get skinned and almost being brave enough to hear breaking bones. A little turkey was a piece of cake. (well I still used the tongs until I HAD to touch it... but then I didn't even scream this year).

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Jacob made enough mashed potatoes for an army... we were trying to get them from tasting sooo bland, and Dad had to step in and help us out.

It was just allot of potatoes to season.

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It turned out pretty good. The kids are all so different. Some took the invitees by the arm and escorted them to the tables and talked and really had fun with them. Some kids kept leaking into the kitchen and seemed more comfortable around the leaders. They mostly all helped out, it was a big job and we needed lots of hands to pull it off.

I had my camera and didn't take ONE picture!

I know, I am soooo fired!! Ugggg!!!!

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It has been fun having Jim around this week, he took the week off to go hunting. Today we slept in together (I was so exhausted from the big dinner last night) and he is going golfing with Jacob this afternoon.

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Yesterday we got his Elk moved home in quarters to hang.

He delivered some on the way home to friends to share.

Then together we cut up some steaks from the back straps.

They were the most beautiful steaks... again not ONE picture... what is wrong with me? He was really proud of them when we got done.

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I couldn't wait, I had to know if ALL this work for meat was really worth it!

I cooked up one steak for us all to taste it.

I liked the deer meat, but it did have a funky after taste to me.

I liked eating it as jerky the best!

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I am a huge steak lover, since I was really little, there just isn't a steak too big for me to eat!

After the deer meat, I was a little nervous.... but I LOVED IT!! As much as a beef steak!!!! That is huge!!!

There was no funky after taste!! AT ALL!!! And they say it is even better after you let it cure.

I don't know if all elk is that way, or just this one was pretty healthy. But I totally love it!! And it is sooo lean, it is actually healthier for you than beef.

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I think it is my new favorite food!!!

I can't believe I am saying that but I love elk steak!!!