Ah, September. The temperatures are perfect. Days are warm and nights are cool. Leaves are changing. The scenery is beautiful. It’s harvest time with fresh produce abound. Festivals happening across the state every weekend. Football season is here as well as the kickoff to Fall. What a great time to be outdoors in Colorado and at home!
So to help you enjoy what September has to offer, check out these ideas…
Color Caravan: Nothing like seeing Fall colors pop out against the bluest skies in our state! For our favorite Colorado Fall Road Trips, see last September’s blog at: https://renewthehome.com/blog/2020/09/11-fall-fun-in-colorado
Sights & Sounds: Gather in the gold with the sun and Aspen leaves while witnessing the “Kings of the Wild” in their annual display known as The Rut. Bull elk (males) work hard to win the affections of cow elk (females) by showing off their might with distinctive bugling. https://www.visitgrandcounty.com/stories/elk-bugling
Festival Fun: Is it wine? What about beer? How about music? Shop at a farmers market? Find it all at https://www.colorado.com/activities/events-festivals
Football Feast: To help you enjoy a football party, we are inspired by two national days held in September…
National Guacamole Day (Sept. 16th)
The thicker the chips, the better she dips! And a thick chip is precisely what you’re going to want for guacamole. We don’t mean to brag, but Maverick’s V.P., Kelly Berlin, makes the best guac we’ve ever had. (You’ll probably agree!) So, we got Kelly to share her recipe.
Kelly’s Guacamole
2-3 ripe Hass avocados
1 small red or yellow onion, chopped finely
1 small firm tomato of your choice, chopped finely
1 lime, freshly juiced
1/2 small bundle of cilantro (unless you’re one of those people that think it tastes like soap!)
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped finely OR cayenne pepper, a pinch to taste (add both, if you’re feeling spicy!)
Garlic powder, couple shakes to taste
Sea salt to taste
Scoop out avocado and mash in a small bowl. Add all remaining ingredients above. Mix with a fork. Serve with tortilla chips or a dollop on your favorite Mexican dish or use as a spread on sandwiches and burgers. Speaking of burgers...
National Cheeseburger Day (Sept. 18th)
We’ll run the option for this recipe. Maverick’s President, Adam Berlin, prefers an elk burger to the traditional beef burger. He’s a nice guy, so Adam shared his top-secret, top-tier Elk Swiss & Prosciutto Burger recipe. Consider putting some of Kelly’s guacamole atop this burger… a partnership meant to be - just saying.
Adam’s Elk Burgers
Burger & Fixings
1 ½ pound of ground elk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 slices of swiss cheese
4 slices of prosciutto
4 hamburger buns (Adam prefers kaiser rolls, buttered and lightly grilled on a griddle)
Dry Seasoning
¼ teaspoon of kosher salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon coriander powder
After heating your grill to medium-high heat, mix all measured seasonings in a bowl and set them on the grill’s side. Evenly divide your ground elk into four portions and shape it into patties. Season both sides of your burgers with the dry rub seasoning blend. Oil your grill grates to keep all the elk in patty formation so it ends up in your mouth and not on the grill.
THIS PART IS IMPORTANT, SO WE USED ALL CAPS! Elk meat has much less fat than beef, so set a timer for 3-4 minutes on each side. Otherwise, your patty is going to be crispy fried and un-delicious. Top burgers with sliced swiss cheese and prosciutto, and don’t you dare add ketchup to these beauties. Mayo is acceptable, if you must.
Back at home...
Do you know where an elk burger has been scientifically proven to taste more delicious?
On a new deck! Weird, but true... according to our opinion. And using Maverick’s expertise, you can expect that deck will be at least an “8-by-8”! (Hunter’s term for 16 antler points.)
There is no better way to prepare your football feast or road trip picnic than in your dream kitchen. How about watching your favorite team on the big screen in your finished basement or home theater? And hang your prized Fall color photography over your stacked stone fireplace?
Maverick Home Remodeling, Inc. can help you enjoy September… whether outdoors or inside. Let us know how by contacting us at the link below.
