Metcalf Ranch

             Rocking M Bunkhouse

                                                  Vacation on a working cattle ranch in Montana!

 

203 Lower Deer Creek Road
P.O. Box 765
Big Timber, MT 59011
ph: 406-932-4572
alt: 406-930-1108

Weekly Column

    I have been looking for the perfect winter sport, and I think I have found it!  I have had two knee surgeries, so I am too chicken (and old) to ski anymore. Snowmobiling is very fun but expensive, noisy, somewhat cold, and your lungs fill with the smell of exhaust--at least on our old Phaser, which is the classic redneck sled we bought at a farm auction for $400.00 years ago. But hey, it gets your from point A to point B (If the two points are within walking distance, you are fairly mechanical, and you have all day!) Snow shoeing and cross country skiing require too large of an investment in Ibuprofen and horse liniment. . . so I believe ice fishing is the answer!

   The merits of ice fishing were recently pointed out to me in a wellness argument between some of my colleagues. According to recent research (probably conducted in an ice hut after the consumption of a couple adult beverages), one hour of ice fishing provides the exercise equivalent of three miles of bike riding! (I suspect that would be bike riding downhill with a strong tailwind, but nevertheless, this scientific research certainly convinced me!)
   This research did not sit well with BTGS Superintendent Gary Harkness, who is an avid bike rider, but it was heartily touted by Principal Mark Ketcham and my former teaching partner, Brandon Proue, who are avid ice fisherman. They have been known to drive hundreds of miles on bad roads in blizzard conditions to fish in an ice fishing derby. All this time I thought they were doing it to get away from their wives, but it turns out that they are doing it for the incredible exercise value of the sport!
   I have totally bought into the idea of modern day ice fishing as the ultimate fitness sport! Have you seen the high tech huts they have? Do you know that ice augers are motorized? There are even people on snowmobiles that will transport all of your heaters, huts, equipment, augers, coolers, cook stoves, etc. out to your favorite spot for a nominal fee. Once ensconced in the cozy hut with the hole drilled, the ice fisherman lowers his underwater camera into the hole to get about a million mega pixel view of the fish that he/she previously located with the sonar fish finder.
   There is no need to hold the pole, because the automatic jigging device and strike alarm will alert the napping fisherman when it is time to reel in the fish. This device is also helpful to avoid burning the bratwurst or marshmallows that are roasting over the propane burners if a fish is just nibbling the line.
   Since ice fishing burns up so many calories per hour, the fishermen can enjoy junk food and beverages totally guilt-free and of course, without breaking a sweat. The seats in the ice hut are much more comfortable than a bike seat, and just think--eight hours of ice fishing is the exercise equivalent of riding a bike 24 miles! I have found my sport, and I can't wait till the next fishing derby to start getting into shape! I sure hope there is room in the Ketcham/Proue ice hut for my fishing recliner!
    I need more good recipes to run in this column! Please send them to me at cookinginthewest@yahoo.com or Box 765, Big Timber, MT 59011. This week I have a prize-winning beef cook-off recipe from Margaret Meissner of Chester, and sixteen year old Laura Uffelman and her sister 13 year old Landa Uffelman sent me their favorite recipes. Thanks, Margaret, Laura, and Landa!
    Margaret's Burger Bundles
1 C. stuffing mix
1 lb. ground beef>
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 C. evaporated milk
1 C. cream of mushroom soup
1 T. ketchup
2 t Worcestershire sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare stuffing mix and set aside. Mix beef and milk. Divide into patties. On waxed paper, flatten each patty to form a 4 inch circle. Spoon 1 T. stuffing into center. Draw edges together and seal. Place in a casserole sprayed with Pam. Combine soup, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Heat to boiling. Pour over meat and bake 40 to 50 minutes.
   Landa's Crispy Chicken
1 1/2 C. crisp rice cereal (lightly crushed)
2 t. flour
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. dried thyme
1/4 t. poultry seasoning
1/4 c. melted butter
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb.)
   Combine cereal, flour, and seasonings. Place butter in another bowl. Dip chicken in butter, then into cereal mixture. Place in greased baking pan. Drizzle with remaining butter. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until juices run clear.
   Laura's Haystacks
(a yummy no-bake snack)
1 six oz. pkg butterscotch chips
3 oz. can Chow mien noodles
1/2 C. peanut butter
1 C. miniature marshmallows
Melt chips and peanut butter in microwave. Fold in noodles, then marshmallows. Drop onto waxed paper. Serve when set.

The Ultimate Winter Sport

 

203 Lower Deer Creek Road
P.O. Box 765
Big Timber, MT 59011
ph: 406-932-4572
alt: 406-930-1108