Greek Burger Recipe for the Labour Day Weekend

What are your plans for this last long weekend of summer? We've talked to members who will be fishing, camping, soaking up the sun, playing in ball tournaments and barbecuing. Lots of Angus breeders will be trying to squeeze in a little bit of R&R between haying and silaging. A few will be showing cattle this weekend.

For many of us, a summer long weekend is a great excuse to gather friends for a back yard barbecue featuring Angus beef. If such a gathering is on your agenda for the weekend, consider trying these Greek burgers. The recipe comes to us from Chef Dez at Lepp Farm Market (a Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed licensed participant) in Abbotsford, BC.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 7 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Preparation:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and divide equally into four portions. Shape each portion into a hamburger patty.
2. Grill on a preheated barbecue, medium flame, until cooked through. (Burger temperature will be 160 degrees Fahrenheit when fully cooked.)
3. Serve with tzatziki sauce, lettuce and tomato on a hamburger bun. For a gluten-free or lower calorie option, wrap hamburger patty in a large lettuce leaf instead of using a bun.

The recipe is easily doubled, tripled, etc. if you are expecting a crowd.

Whatever you do this long weekend, enjoy the sunshine and drive safely. Our office will be closed on Monday to recognize Labour Day, but we'll reopen at 7:30 a.m. MDT on Tuesday.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky

Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Association Staff Get Educated

The Canadian Angus Association staff had the opportunity to get out of the office and get some mud--and manure--on our shoes.

We visited Alta Genetics to see how semen is collected and Davis-Rairdan to see how cows are flushed to retrieve embryos. At both locations, we were taken through the entire process from the time an animal arrives through the semen or embryo being shipped. It was helpful for our staff and for the staff of Alta Genetics and Davis-Rairdan to understand each others' processes and procedures.

We then went to visit Wendy and Doug Newton of Heart Bar Cattle in Crossfield. Wendy and Doug graciously donated three of their cows as recipients for the embryos that the Canadian Angus Association staff won at the 2009 World Angus Forum embryo auction. Two of the embryos took, and we staff are the proud owners of two black Angus calves. Doug and Wendy are caring for the calves on our behalf and are donating their time and resources to do so. We will be selling the calves and donating the money raised to the Canadian Angus Foundation. More details about this project will be unveiled this summer; please watch our blog and website for details.

The staff would like to offer our sincere thanks to Alta Genetics and Davis-Rairdan for taking time from their busy schedules to teach us about what they do. We would like to thank Doug and Wendy Newton of Heart Bar Cattle for donating recipient cows for our embryos and for caring for our young calves. Finally, we would like to thank our members for allowing us to close the office for a day so we could have an opportunity to learn more about the business.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Merry Christmas Angus Enthusiasts

With only one week to go before Christmas, the staff of the Canadian Angus Association would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members, customers, blog readers and Canadian Angus enthusiasts a very Merry Christmas.


Our office will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Monday, December 27 for Christmas. We will also be closed on Friday, December 31 for the new year's holiday. We return to business as usual on Monday, January 3.


We're going to take a short break from the blog over the holiday season. We will post again on Friday, January 7.


We wish you all the best for a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and look forward to working with you in 2011.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky

Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca