Recipes 4/21/11

Meet Rachel Jensen, Colfax

Ever since Rachel Jensen was a little girl growing up on a cattle ranch in Tonasket, she has competed in barrel racing.

“I don’t even remember when I started,” she said.

Now with her own growing family, Rachel is still surrounded by horses and continues to compete when she can.

Rachel and her husband Todd moved to the Dusty area from Tonasket in 2004 so Rachel could study to be an veterinarian,

While she studied at WSU, Todd worked for Cross Three Quarter horses. Rachel graduated with her bachelors degree in 2006 and in the fall of 2007 they moved to Colfax. She started working as a veterinary technician in the equine emergency room and Intensive Care Unit at WSU.

“You never know what you’re going to get,” she said of the four-legged patients that come through the doors.

In November of 2007 they started Jensen Horse Training. Todd trains all kinds of horses with an emphasis on cutting and roping stock. On average, he handles six to eight horses per month. Most remain about 60 days, but some can be in training for six months.

Until this last fall, the Jensens had three heifer buffalo in addition to the horses and calves. They used the buffalo to train the horses because they last longer than cattle. Rachel noted a buffalo will learn to work the same pattern and keep going past the time when cattle will stop.

“They’re very trainable,” she said.

They kept the buffalo for about two and a half years and butchered them last fall. Rachel said buffalo meat is similar to beef, but leaner.

Rachel said they do not know when they will get more buffalo.

Their freezer is also stocked with game meat. Todd’s brother guides hunts on family land and leased ground back in Tonasket and Todd goes back to help. Todd and Rachel also both like to hunt.

One trick Rachel has learned to take some of the game flavor out of the venison is to soak it in milk 12 to 24 hours before cooking.

During the winter months when he can’t do a lot of horse training, Todd builds furniture.

Rachel and Todd have two children, Tommy Jo, 2, and Clancy, four months.

Tommy Jo is also learning to ride and has her own pony, Charm. Clancy gets to ride with his mom.

The Jensens are both members of the Palouse River Ropers Association. With a new winter series that recently started in Lewiston, Rachel will now be able to compete in her events year-round.

“Pretty much it’s just my kids and horses,” Rachel said. Those two things keep her busy, and they have made many friends through working with the horses and rodeos.

When the Jensens go to rodeos, they often meet up with friends and enjoy hanging out and barbecuing.

While the recent rain has made it difficult for Todd to get much training done, they both like the Palouse area. Rachel continues to work at the WSU equine emergency room, and they also continue to work on their house which was a fixer-upper when they bought it.

Recipe:

Lasagna

Lasagna noodles

Ground buffalo or beef

Pork sausage

Spaghetti sauce, any kind

Small curd cottage cheese

Shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese

Cook noodles according to package. Brown sausage with buffalo or beef. Mix with sauce.

In a 13 x 19 inch pan, layer beef, noodles, cottage cheese and shredded cheese—both kinds. Repeat. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes until cheese bubbly. Can also freeze before cooking.