Anybody ever try mountain lion?

cojab · January 28, 2017, 09:10:53 PM

Well I just cooked up some of the mountain lion that I took a while ago. Took it to the firehouse and cooked it up in a stir fry. It really wasn't bad but I couldn't get over the fact that I was eating cat.

Anybody have suggestions for how to cook this. I still have a lot of backstrap left and I'm not big on wasting stuff I kill.

cortman · January 28, 2017, 09:54:01 PM

That's really interesting. I don't know anyone who's eaten lion before. Good for you using what you kill.
I imagine the fact that you're eating a cat may take some getting over. I wouldn't have expected bear to be all that good either, but after eating my first bit I was blown away how delicious it was.
Have you tried slow cooking in a crock pot with onions and stuff? Hard to make anything less than delicious with that method.

flowerjohn · January 28, 2017, 09:59:45 PM

Quote from: cojab on January 28, 2017, 09:10:53 PM
Well I just cooked up some of the mountain lion that I took a while ago. Took it to the firehouse and cooked it up in a stir fry. It really wasn't bad but I couldn't get over the fact that I was eating cat.

Anybody have suggestions for how to cook this. I still have a lot of backstrap left and I'm not big on wasting stuff I kill.

That is an interesting cooking question cojab. You killed it and you gotta eat it. I got a lot of respect for that rule. Before you get too caught up in your mind understand that much of the world eats cat from Asia to Africa. It's just another protein. I would imagine that being wild it probably lacks in fat so I would look at stew with a marinade first for a day or so. Perhaps sausage if you can grind it adding pork fat with some seasoning. I have never tried it for the simple fact that I worry that after a few meals I will feel the urge to lick myself in unusual places. Good luck to you and just wondering how it tastes. Anything you can compare it to?

This message sent via the FC network.

analfisherman · January 28, 2017, 10:03:29 PM

If you think you want to cook it like a steak/tenderloin I use Montreal Steak Seasoning. (McCormick Grill Mate Seasoning)
I still think cat backstraps are kinda tuff......only ate them twice as steak.

Else use the old standby.......Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup and a packet of Lipton Onion soup.
Put it in a Crock Pot or Slow Cooker......can add Potatoes and Mini Corn with it and you got yourself a whole meal...no hassles and everything is done at the same time.
That actually works with any wild game.......you don't tell the dinners what meat it is and they will all think it's a beef roast.

Pacific NW Ron · January 28, 2017, 10:17:28 PM

I got one many years ago. We had some as roast, ground like hamburger and some steaks. It really wasn't bad. Tried several different seasonings. Anal is correct that most people will think it's beef. Same with bear meat.
Ron

cojab · January 28, 2017, 11:10:06 PM

Quote from: cortman on January 28, 2017, 09:54:01 PM
That's really interesting. I don't know anyone who's eaten lion before. Good for you using what you kill.
I imagine the fact that you're eating a cat may take some getting over. I wouldn't have expected bear to be all that good either, but after eating my first bit I was blown away how delicious it was.
Have you tried slow cooking in a crock pot with onions and stuff? Hard to make anything less than delicious with that method.

Bears not bad.

cojab · January 28, 2017, 11:18:43 PM

Quote from: flowerjohn on January 28, 2017, 09:59:45 PM
That is an interesting cooking question cojab. You killed it and you gotta eat it. I got a lot of respect for that rule. Before you get too caught up in your mind understand that much of the world eats cat from Asia to Africa. It's just another protein. I would imagine that being wild it probably lacks in fat so I would look at stew with a marinade first for a day or so. Perhaps sausage if you can grind it adding pork fat with some seasoning. I have never tried it for the simple fact that I worry that after a few meals I will feel the urge to lick myself in unusual places. Good luck to you and just wondering how it tastes. Anything you can compare it to?

This message sent via the FC network.

I agree with if you kill it you eat it. If I cant develop a taste for it, I know some guys that really like it so it won't go to waste.
As far as the meat, it is lean but even being lean, the tenderloin is very tender. The flavor itself is actually a little bland. Texture and color were both very much like pork.

I've had lion jerky before that was terrible, brats that were ok, and now this stir fry. I think I might try frying some up in a cast iron skillet with butter, salt and pepper just like I do a deer back strap before I give up on it.

cojab · January 28, 2017, 11:22:43 PM

Quote from: analfisherman on January 28, 2017, 10:03:29 PM
If you think you want to cook it like a steak/tenderloin I use Montreal Steak Seasoning. (McCormick Grill Mate Seasoning)
I still think cat backstraps are kinda tuff......only ate them twice as steak.

Else use the old standby.......Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup and a packet of Lipton Onion soup.
Put it in a Crock Pot or Slow Cooker......can add Potatoes and Mini Corn with it and you got yourself a whole meal...no hassles and everything is done at the same time.
That actually works with any wild game.......you don't tell the dinners what meat it is and they will all think it's a beef roast.

The mushroom soup, crock pot method! To be honest I've done a few things like that and it wasn't my favorite. I agree you can make most things edible that way though.

cojab · January 28, 2017, 11:30:10 PM

Quote from: sportsmansfriend on January 28, 2017, 10:17:28 PM
I got one many years ago. We had some as roast, ground like hamburger and some steaks. It really wasn't bad. Tried several different seasonings. Anal is correct that most people will think it's beef. Same with bear meat.
Ron

Your right, it isn't bad. It's actually pretty bland and to be honest it's really just a mental thing for me right now. FJ is right that it is a protien source all over the world. Just not my norm.
I'm going to experiment a bit to see if I find a method I can get used to. I remember when I really didn't like deer meat but now I couldn't imagine not having some in the freezer.

coldfront · January 29, 2017, 05:57:55 AM

Quote from: cojab on January 28, 2017, 11:18:43 PM
I agree with if you kill it you eat it. If I cant develop a taste for it, I know some guys that really like it so it won't go to waste.
As far as the meat, it is lean but even being lean, the tenderloin is very tender. The flavor itself is actually a little bland. Texture and color were both very much like pork.

I've had lion jerky before that was terrible, brats that were ok, and now this stir fry. I think I might try frying some up in a cast iron skillet with butter, salt and pepper just like I do a deer back strap before I give up on it.

talked to a guy up at Bozeman years ago (fly/gun shop)... I recall he described cougar as 'best pork you'll ever eat'...

http://rapidcityjournal.com/lifestyles/mountain-lion-tenderloins-on-menu-at-wild-game-cooking-class/article_665250f7-d307-5b3b-9ee6-c0c39c947d13.html

cojab · January 29, 2017, 07:58:19 AM

Quote from: coldfront on January 29, 2017, 05:57:55 AM
talked to a guy up at Bozeman years ago (fly/gun shop)... I recall he described cougar as 'best pork you'll ever eat'...

http://rapidcityjournal.com/lifestyles/mountain-lion-tenderloins-on-menu-at-wild-game-cooking-class/article_665250f7-d307-5b3b-9ee6-c0c39c947d13.html

Great link coldfront. Why didn't I think of a bacon wrapped tenderloin? I'm going to give that a try and I'll report back!

analfisherman · January 29, 2017, 08:57:21 AM

coldfront.....THANKS!!!!

I googled ' Jeff Olson's wild-game recipes' and found a lot of great recipes....from him as well as others.

I eat 'wild game' at least once a week and have a large group of HUNTERS who pack my freezers full of game from Moose, Cat, Bear, Pig... to Rabbit I harvest myself..... these guys take their hunting very seriously and travel ALL OVER the world to hunt.

I'm always looking for new ways to ENJOY the bounty.

Cojab, thanks for the thread and coldfront thanks for the article and lead!

Lipripper · January 29, 2017, 11:49:06 AM

If you ever ate in a Chinese Restaurant here ya go.

analfisherman · January 29, 2017, 12:01:45 PM

Quote from: Lipripper on January 29, 2017, 11:49:06 AM
If you ever ate in a Chinese Restaurant here ya go.

Or 'WOK their DOG'.

cortman · January 29, 2017, 12:56:34 PM

Quote from: analfisherman on January 29, 2017, 08:57:21 AM
coldfront.....THANKS!!!!

I googled ' Jeff Olson's wild-game recipes' and found a lot of great recipes....from him as well as others.

I eat 'wild game' at least once a week and have a large group of HUNTERS who pack my freezers full of game from Moose, Cat, Bear, Pig... to Rabbit I harvest myself..... these guys take their hunting very seriously and travel ALL OVER the world to hunt.

I'm always looking for new ways to ENJOY the bounty.

Cojab, thanks for the thread and coldfront thanks for the article and lead!

That's a really neat opportunity you have there analfisherman! I like trying new things myself.

Wizard · February 03, 2017, 02:01:04 PM

During the Great Depression, the Italian area of St. Louis ( the Hill) ate "roof rabbit". I heard that once you got past the "meow", it was tasty. No mountain lion for me. Over the years, I have eaten:
Rattlesnake (US)
Gator (US)
Monkey meat (Malaysia)
Water Buffalo (Vietnam)
Sea snake (Philippines)
Baby Rat stuffed with almonds (China)
Horse meat (the Stans)
Camel ( somewhere in N. Africa with the Bedouin)
Camel is the vilest, worst tasting, disgusting dish I have ever eaten.. Coming from the worst smelling, meanest, nastiest animal on the face of the planet, I should never have tried it.