High Tower Ranch - Part 1

Welcome to the Ruby Valley!

 Having departed from Deer Lodge the following morning, (a bald eagle flew right over head as I hit the road) it was time to drive south again to the Ruby Valley. Man, is this place beautiful. Mountains all around, green pastureland and herds and herds of black cattle. This is unquestionably real cowboy country and so that means cowboy food. Good, honest, country home-cooking.

...unfortunately Frank couldn't come.

Say "Hi," to Patty...

 I had the pleasure of staying at High Tower Ranch (a real ranch!), hosted by the amazingly kind and hospitable Steve and Carol who also run a B&B (which gets 5+ stars!). Carol's kitchen, I could tell from just walking in, was the HQ for some prodigious cooking. She has a professional background in catering and even ran a confectionery bakery at one point so, to say the least, filled with wisdom regarding food! Just look at her herb draw...

Prepping the potato salad

Now, that's a cool draw!

 I was greeted with homemade cookies while venison burgers were made and grilled up. These burgers were just gorgeous! I personally love a good burger because of the amazing cacophony of flavours that they can posses, especially ones that you've made from scratch. I had the privilege of making the potato salad. Personally, I've never been a great fan of it but this was absolutely delicious. Seeing, step by step, what goes into a dish often helps. In fact, this often will make you appreciate most things. 

Home-made, blueberry muffins

Bacon and fresh fruit

Considering this is what I had for
breakfast the previous morning...

 The next morning I woke up to a harmony of smells that all men know and love. Breakfast. But not just any breakfast. Carol had baked muffins, fried eggs, brewed coffee, prepared fresh fruit, and griddled bacon and fresh pancakes. I know you can smell this as you're reading! Guys, no question, this was absolutely, hands down, without a doubt, the best ever breakfast of the trip and, from just stepping into the kitchen that morning, immediately entered the top five breakfasts of my life! I am living proof that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. 

My abundant thanks, Carol, this
meal is a precious memory

 However, allow me to share one piece of wisdom that I have learned on my journey with food so far. The single most important reason as to why this breakfast will forever stick in my mind was the love and kindness with which it was prepared. I cannot emphasise this enough: love, guys, is the seasoning that always comes through the strongest in any dish so use it and don't be sparing! It's free!

Stay tuned for Part 2...

Steve, playing host and doing a spectacular job. If ever you have the chance to meet Steve, ask him to do his Daffy Duck impersonation. It's priceless!

I know, I know. They're very green but I'm yet to appreciate pickles...

Manly moment #1 (See next post for #2)

  

"To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 

of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

"4-B's Diner" Lord of the Onion Rings

Now that's an onion ring!

Antique cover to the original menu

 Having left the camp near Glacier National Park, (See previous post "Watermelon Carving and Cookies on my Face" and any other posts with the tab "Glacier") I arrived at a little town called Deer Lodge. Deer Lodge is one of the last places in which a "4-B's" restaurant can be found. Started in 1947 by Bill Hainline, "4-B's" got it's name from his family which comprised of his wife, Barbara, son Bill Jr. and daughter Barbara. Thus we got four 'b's!
 "4-B's" offers fantastic service from its staff plus has some great food on its menu. The 'hero burger', chicken alfredo with salad and the monstrous beef taco. The dish that receives the most attention, however, is the tomato soup for which I managed to acquire a recipe from the web so see below. (It is yet untested in my kitchen but if you happen to sometime give it a go then do let me know how it turns out!)

The monster taco!

 I selected from the menu the Montana ranch hamburger steak with gravy, grilled onions, mash potato, onion rings and garlic toast and boy was I happy to see that turn up in front of me! Man, I love onion rings... But, what really topped off the meal was being allowed to personally thank plus get a photo in the kitchen with the woman behind all the cooking.

Seasoned with Glee,

Jacob

Montana ranch steak

"4-B's Old fashioned Tomato Soup"

 Serves: 2

 Time: Just over an hour

 In a saucepan, combine a tin of chopped tomatoes, 310 ml of chicken stock, two tablespoons each of butter and sugar, half a small onion and one quarter of a teaspoon of baking powder. Bring this to the boil and let it simmer for one hour. In another saucepan, heat up 470 ml of double/single cream and then stir this into the soup and serve!

"To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 

of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly