Brie Stuffed Elk Burgers, courtesy of RMEF's Carnivore's Kitchen

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THIS CONTENT IS FROM RMEF's Carnivore's Kitchen

Makes 6 Sliders
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

There’s something to be said about cooking outdoors and with hunting season just around the corner, I figured now would be the ideal time to utilize some ground game meat from last year’s harvest and share these brie-stuffed elk sliders that I enjoy preparing.

Now what exactly is a slider? And we’re not talking about baseball here. We’re talking about what seems to be a growing popularity of American cuisine. Wikipedia’s definition of the term refers to the size of a small hamburger or small sandwich that typically runs around 2 inches across and made with a slider roll. Even White Castle trademarked the name ‘Slyder’ referring to their smaller in size hamburgers. Other references claim that the term slider came from the preparation and process of cooking the burger patty on a well oiled griddle and when ready, it would ‘slide’ right off.

Either way you look at it, the term ‘slider’ has one common characteristic, it’s smaller in size.

I assembled these brie-stuffed elk sliders with minimal ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store and using what’s referred to as a mini hamburger press, can provide the perfect thickness and diameter for the ideal sized slider.

To compliment the sliders, I garnished each one with a few baby arugula leaves adding hints of pepper to the grilled meat. You can always add other garnishments such as sliced tomato and onion. I also prepared a simple spread that combines mayonnaise, dried tarragon, minced garlic, olive oil and fresh lemon juice. The widely used culinary herb known as French tarragon has a sweet aroma with spicy licorice-like flavor and when mixed with the bold taste of minced garlic and a squeeze of tart lemon juice, this creamy condiment will elevate your taste buds with every juicy bite.

Ingredients:

·         1 1/2 pounds ground elk

·         4 ounces Brie cheese, cut into small pieces (rind removed)

·         1 teaspoon kosher salt

·         1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         6 rolls, cut in half

·         Baby arugula, for garnish

Tarragon Garlic Mayonnaise

·         1 cup mayonnaise

·         2 cloves garlic, minced

·         1 tablespoon lemon juice

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         1 tablespoon dried French tarragon

Preparation

In a bowl, mix all mayonnaise ingredients until blended and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready. 

Divide the ground elk meat into 6 separate portions. Using a mini hamburger press, take half of each portion and place into the bottom of the press. Add a piece of Brie cheese to the center of the meat and then take the other portion of the meat and place over the top of the cheese. Take the top handle of the mini burger press and gently push down sealing the cheese in the middle of the meat. Repeat all steps until all slider patties are formed. (If you do not have a mini hamburger press, you can easily use your hands to form the slider patties with the Brie cheese in the center). Drizzle olive oil over each one and season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.

Preheat your outdoor grill to a high heat, about 450°F. When hot, place the sliders on the grill cooking for about 5/6 minutes. Gently turn and continue to cook until they reach your desired doneness. (Since all grills are not the same, you may need to adjust the heat if necessary).

To serve, spread a little of the tarragon garlic mayonnaise on both the tops and the bottoms of the rolls. Add a few pieces of baby arugula and then the grilled brie-stuffed elk slider. Enjoy.