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" Burgers, tacos, stuffed peppers \u2014 beef is the typical main ingredient of choice for these beloved foods, but I often make them with bison. Yes, bison. Bison (a.k.a. buffalo meat) first caught my attention because of its nutritional profile. Bison offers a flavor that&amp;#039;s slightly more enhanced than beef with less fat and often more protein, iron, and nutrients. Compare, for instance, the calories, fat, protein, and iron, as reported in the USDA Nutrient Database:       Bison, Sirloin*   Beef, Sirloin**   Bison, Ground+   Beef, Ground++     Calories  113 142 146 192    Total Fat (g)  2 6 7 13    Saturated Fat (g)  1 2 3 5    Protein (g)  21 21 20 19    Iron (mcg)  3.0 (17%DV) 1.5 (9%DV) 2.8 (15%DV) 2.0 (11%DV)   * Top sirloin, separable lean only, trimmed to 0&amp;quot; fat, raw ** Botton sirloin, tri-tip, separable lean only, trimmed o 0&amp;quot; fat, all grades, raw + Ground, grass-fed, raw ++ Ground, grass-fed, raw Americans are shifting greater focus onto healthy eating, so it&amp;#039;s no surprise that bison consumption is at an all-time high, as the New York Times reported earlier this year. This week we sampled products from High Plains Bison. High Plains Ground Bison Ground bison is a perfect substitute for ground beef in burgers, and the High Plains product did not disappoint. The National Bison Association, a non-profit that promotes the preservation, production, and marketing of bison in the U.S., cautions first-time bison cooks not to overcook the meat. Reduced fat means reduced cooking time. In fact, you may prefer your buffalo burger cooked to an earlier doneness than a beef burger (if you eat medium-well beef burgers, you might prefer medium bison burgers). High Plains reports that its bison are grass-fed and all of its products are all-natural (no hormones, fillers, antibiotics, or artificial ingredients). The ground bison has a hefty texture that makes patty creation simple. The meat didn&amp;#039;t require any seasoning before it was grilled and served with typical burger toppings. We enjoyed the product and would consider purchasing it, but probably not often. It retails on highplainsbison.com for $47.99 for four 1-pound packages \u2014 certainly not the most budget-friendly item. High Plains Fliet Mignon One tester described the texture of these filets as souffl\u00E9-like and compared the silkiness to scallops. When cooked with a simple seasoning \u2014 salt, pepper, and a touch of olive oil \u2014 the meat did not develop a sear one would typically get with a beef filet. A higher heat could develop a better sear, but the threat of overcooking looms with such a lean cut. A definite splurge, the filet mignon retails on highplainsbison.com for $139.99 for six 6-ounce grass-fed steaks or $69.99 for four 6-ounce steaks. High Plains Hickory Smoked Bison Sausage High Plains offers a variety of bison sausages, including hickory-smoked (which we sampled), wild rice and asiago, and cajun style andouille. The smokiness in Hickory-Smoked Bison Sausage enhanced the meat&amp;#039;s natural flavor. The meat was a terrific base for a skillet sausage, red beans, and rice dish. Testers wondered how the meat would fare on the grill and noted that constant attention is necessary to ensure the product retains some moisture. The meat retails on highplainsbison.com for $35.99 for ten 3.2-ounce sausages. Bison is also available in many grocery stores, including Whole Foods Markets. It tends to run a bit more expensive than beef. Ask your local grocery store butcher if they carry the meat. Then try one of these fabulous recipes:   Smoky Bison Burger   Curry Bison Short Ribs   Bison Steak Sandwiches   "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.delish.com/food/news/a38739/we-tried-it-friday-bison/>