Fiji Fish Burger at Bozeman's Papulo Dogs

Let me get this straight...hot dogs, Hawaii, fish burgers, in Bozeman? I love creative thinking just a much as the next guy. I love creative cooking maybe just a bit more...and this little place seems to have both going on.

I stepped into the just-opened Papulo Dogs today dead-set on a hot dog; it's in the name after all. I ended up with a whole different animal - literally.

I had a "burger" of fresh ground mahi-mahi with sweet potato fries. The nicely seasoned and pan seared mahi burger tasted good with the chipotle/red pepper cream sauce that dressed this toasted-english-muffin sandwich.

Moist and flavorful describes the burger that also possessed the appropriate bun-to-meat ratio. The fries were crispy and dusted with parmesan. The salsa fresca and chipotle cream sauce added a little heat and freshness that balanced out some of the inherent decadence of the dish. Need more shmeckus for your dog/burger/fries? Additional and creative ketchups and sauces await on a condiment bar.

Next time: the "Todos Santos" dog with Mole with the house-made sweet onion potato chips!

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Update: Bozeman's Blackbird Kitchen...

...just might have their beer/wine license now. Just a guess.

 

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When the going gets hot, the hot eat salads.

Tonight's warm weather made me crave simple food that doesn't involve a hot skillet or oven. One of my favorite salads is a simple mix of cannellini beans and conserved tuna with greens tossed in a balsamic/Dijon vinaigrette. I substituted smoked salmon in a pinch tonight. While I prefer the tuna, this substitution worked out quite nicely. Jen's bread toasted, and with olive oil added nice texture to the meal. 

 

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West Yellowstone's Taqueria Las Palmitas

Thank you, food gods for guiding the old school bus that is Taqueria Las Palmitas to a parking spot in the heart of West Yellowstone.

Here's the drill: get on the bus, place your order, wait for tasty Mexican goodness. Consume. Benches and counters line the front half of the bus, with the kitchen in the back. A few picnic tables outside are available if the weather is playing nice.

Today's special was the verde burrito, which I enjoyed filled with carnitas, frijoles y arroz and a delicious tomatillo-based salsa verde. A nice touch on all of Las Palmas dishes is the garnish of house-pickled (bus-pickled?) Jalapeños and carrots and a small container of thin and hot salsa.

They offer about thirty different dishes ranging in price from $1.50 for a single taco to $8.99 for more elaborate fare. The burrito pictured and a Mexican Coke set me back about $8. Sweet.

Las Palmas (or the "taco bus" as it is simply known among townies) is a gem and worth a stop the next time you find yourself at Yellowstone's West Entrance.

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Who's Down with the B.L.T.?

While I was enjoying an exceptionally tasty BLT tonight (BLaT, more accurately: bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) on Jen's fresh-baked no-knead pumpernickel bread, I couldn't help but merge the sandwich's name with the classic hip-hop tune, the O.P.P.

Wrong? Yes. Result? I'm down with the B.L.T.

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Turkey in the straw? No. Fox by my house? Yes.

Just after dinner tonight I noticed this little fellow wandering outside our kitchen window. Perhaps a little too fearless of humans, he (or she) didn't seem too concerned about the sound of my rapidly clicking shutter. After taking a few moments to vogue for the camera, it was time move on to other foxy things...

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Idaho's Big Spring

Idaho's Big Spring bubbles up out of the ground like a giant water feature that landscapers try, but inevitably fail to recreate in man-made fountains, ponds, and pools. Just a thirty minute drive from West Yellowstone, this little oasis is where the Henry's Fork of the Snake River gets underway. Right here.

Crystal clear water, huge (and protected) trout, muskrats, gulls, chickadees and general loveliness will greet you as you stroll the few paths that surround the site.

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