ENJOY

Taste Of Jackson Hole

Green Dragon Steak

Dave Yasuda, director of marketing at Snake River Farms, which began crossbreeding high-ranking (for their marbling) wagyu bulls imported from Japan with high-quality American cattle in the late 1980s—essentially creating a new breed, but that’s another story—says this flank steak recipe for wagyu is “very simple and foolproof, but a big crowd pleaser.” (Read Snake River Farms’ story, and find additional recipes, at snakeriverfarms.com.)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 wagyu black grade flank steak (usually about 2 pound. average weight)

• Grapeseed oil

• 1 bunch green onions, green portion chopped into 1/8-inch slices

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

• Kosher salt

• Black pepper

SAUCE:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/4 cup mirin (Japanese rice wine)

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1/3 cup cane sugar

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

• Red chili flakes to taste

DIRECTIONS: were first imported to the U.S. by researchers in 1976; today there are still less than 6,000 purebred wagyu cattle across the country. Breeders and ranchers work closely with the American Wagyu Association, based in Post Falls, Idaho, which registers wagyu stock and promotes the breed.

1. Trim excess fat or silver skin; season meat with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper on both sides.

2. Heat oven to 350°.

3. Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of grapeseed oil and allow to heat.

4. Sear the steak on each side for 3 to 4 minutes, setting up a nice golden-brown crust.

5. Place skillet and steak in oven for about 10 minutes; flip the steak over after 5 minutes. Remove from oven when the steak’s internal temp is 130° (even if this takes longer than 10 minutes).

6. From the oven, put the steak on a cutting board and loosely wrap with foil.

7. Let the steak rest for 15 minutes.

8. Whisk sauce ingredients together in a serving bowl.

9. Remove foil, slice the steak against the grain, and arrange on a platter. Top with sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

It contains a higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than beef from other breeds, such as Angus and Hereford. It also has a higher percentage of monounsaturated to saturated fat, and almost half the saturated fat is in stearic acid, which doesn’t raise cholesterol levels. In fact, wagyu has the lowest cholesterol levels of all meats—including fish or chicken.

Carpenter Cattle began with 15 purebred wagyu cows and two bulls purchased from one of the U.S.’s early wagyu pioneers, Garth Monroe of Idaho Wagyu Genetics. Years ago, Monroe built a herd of full-blood wagyu with excellent genetics. Today the herd at the Carpenter Cattle ranch just east of Hoback Junction is about 80 head, all of which are 100 percent full-blooded wagyu. “Our genetic lines trace directly to purebred Japanese sires and dams,” Carpenter says. This is an important distinction. What’s labeled as “American Wagyu” may be wagyu that was crossbred with other breeds like Angus and Holstein. Besides that incredible fat marbling and the taste, desirable wagyu characteristics include calving ease for young heifers, fertility, adaptability to various environments, and calf marketability.

Carpenter sells his beef locally at Jackson’s Sweet Cheeks Meats and ships to private chefs and discerning diners all over the country, taking orders through a website (carpentercattle.com) and social media. “Many people are interested in wagyu, and we’re selling to foodies, neighbors, and anyone interested in trying something new. Once you taste it, it’s over,” he says.

At Sweet Cheeks, Carpenter Cattle wagyu starts at $55 per pound; choice cuts like filet mignon and ribeye can run more than $100 per pound. “People around here are used to paying for quality,” says Nick Phillips, who, with wife, Nora, owns the butcher shop. “Like a really good mountain bike or pair of resort skis, you want to buy the best beef there is.” JH