Introducing my kids to Buffalo

A happy Max after Buffalo Burger.

Some parents wish for their 5-year olds to play the oboe or speak five languages at 5. As a foodie, I wish my 5-year old would eat pad Thai and be open to try new foods. My 5 and 3 year old sons love eating pasta, but only with butter and a dash of garlic salt. Olive oil – eeew; a homemade sauce-  fuhgedaboutit!

In the March Wild Idea newsletter Jill had a recipe for buffalo stew. It sounded delicious so I ordered some chuck roast and cooked it up for some friends. Everyone loved it…except my kids. The best negotiator in the world could not even get them to try it. In fact, my 5-year old, Max, declared it the second most disgusting sounding food – behind only pickled pigs’ feet.

A few weeks ago I was playing Matchbox cars with Max. I was hungry so I went in the fridge and grabbed a piece of buffalo jerky. He asked me what it was, but instead of answering I just put in front of his mouth. In a rare act, he did not ask, he just took a bite, and then another and another. “Dad, can I have another piece?” In fact a couple nights later he asked me if he could have buffalo jerky for breakfast the next morning. Score!

Feeling satisfied with this progress, I offered up buffalo burgers a couple weeks later. The other options were strategically not that attractive, but he took me up on it. My younger one, Eli, is a little less picky and he ate it dipped in maple syrup – everything is delicious with pure maple syrup. Max took one bite, and then was head down for the next couple minutes shoveling it into his mouth. When he was done, I asked “How does that compare to a ‘regular’ burger?” He answered matter-of-factly, “Juicier. Better. Can I have another one?” I happily obliged, and he happily wolfed it down. Double score!!

Perhaps the uiltimate sign of buffalo love was last week. I asked Max and Eli if they wanted to go to Punch Pizza for dinner. Punch is an amazing Neapolitan pizza place in the Twin Cities, and the kids’ absolute favorite restaurant. Max told me he would rather have a buffalo burger. My jaw nearly hit the floor; he has never turned down Punch. I fired up the grill with a big smile. I had a couple converts.

Recently I have made buffalo tataki, buffalo bacon Bolognese sauce, and nori wrapped seared buffalo. They were all delicious. It may still be a while before my guys are trying those things; I am happy to share those recipes with you if you e-mail me (josh@wildideabuffalo.com). However, I am thrilled that my kids are enthusiastic little buffalo burger eaters!