Yak Preparation and Pairing

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

I’m putting together a small list for a barbecue in the spring. The main attraction is grilled/barbecued yak. I could play it safe and go for Nebbiolo, Rhone and Spanish Granacha but I that might be uninteresting for the crowd.

Anyone have yak experience? Thought it might be fun hash out here. I’ll post photos when the meat comes in.

2

I have often found that local wines go best with local cuisine. So in the case of Yak, you should seek out a nice clay pot full of Museles from the Uigur-speaking region of Xinjiang…

[snort.gif]

3

It is said that Chris Freemott has the palate of a Yak. Maybe he has some intimate knowledge of pairings. [wow.gif] [snort.gif]

4

I would think a wine from Yakima might work.

5

Just drink until you yack.

6

Where does one find a yak to grill?

7

The 4-H Club?

8

With Yak, I always go with lashings of piping hot Cognac.

9

Ha! I’ve had yak!

It was part of fiddlehead and yak’s milk curry we ate while the spouse and I were trekking in Bhutan many years ago. I enjoyed it but don’t recall much. It was spicy and rich and served over red rice. The Indian whisky paired well with it! [snort.gif]

I think the main attraction was that it was hot and digestible after a long, cold, wet day in the elements. That trip was more about scenery than food and wine.[basic-smile.gif]

10

I would select a wine with a lot of yakking on the label.

11

Ha! Right. Did some poking around the internet and I can’t find any without a Lafite label.

12

Wow. I’m impressed/jealous, don’t they only let about five thousand people in a year? That’s a good idea, maybe a curry preparation and an aromatic white. Someone told me that Retsina pairs well with Indian food. I’m hesitant to try the match, since Retsina is kind of awful stuff.

13

You can go to the funny named international group, http://www.iyak.org

In Michigan there are a few specialty ranches that raise yaks among other odd and tasty animals. The one closest to me is Michigan Yakkers. Too many puns.

14

If you are going to do something in an Indian vein, I personally would just rather drink beer. But depending on spices, maybe something more fruit forward like a Zin or big Rhone.

15

Yeah, beer (maybe Cava) is the way to go for Indian. The BBQ was in July last year, the humidity was oppressive. This year it’s in August so something cold and full of flavor really sounds like the best bet.

From what people say, yak isn’t gamey and there isn’t any marbling. I might just treat it like beef and call it a day.

16

Speaking of beer, winesearcher shows there’s a “Matilda Bay Fat Yak Pale Ale.” I have no idea how well it pairs with actual yak (don’t talk back).

Bruce

17

I’ve also had Yak in Nepal. Beefy so anything which goes with beef will work. Yak cheese (actually Dri cheese since Yaks are males) is actually better!

18

My first and only taste of Yak was in Cody, WY at a steak joint. It was done medium rare because of the meat leanness. Looks like Cody has it’s own Yak pipeline … http://www.turkeyhillyaks.com/Site/About_Us.html . For wine choice you have lots of red choices that would work well. I would be inclined towards a Rhone or Rioja red…Gary

19

Not sure what the numbers are now but they manage it very closely. Amazing trip. One of our top 3 destinations. I strongly suggest it for the adventurous who don’t require 4- or 5-star travel. PM me if you ever want info.

20

All looks great. Thanks everyone. I’ll post updates when I start the experiment.