Perfectly grilled, topped with a tangy berry compote
Welcome to this week’s edition of our Come Eat With Me Manitoba recipe series, where we celebrate the rich flavors of Manitoba while enhancing food security and digital literacy in the food sector. This week, we dive into a delightful culinary creation that showcases the unique ingredients of our region. Say hello to Manitoba Wild Rice and Caribou Sliders, a dish that embodies local culture and sustainability. With the perfect blend of tender caribou patties and tangy berry compote, these sliders are not just a meal; they’re a celebration of Manitoba’s natural bounty.
As we strive for food security and promote the importance of locally sourced ingredients, this recipe invites you to explore the vibrant flavors of Manitoba. The wild rice buns provide a nutty base, while the foraged juniper berry compote adds a refreshing zing. Served alongside seasoned sweet potato fries, this meal not only tantalizes your taste buds but also encourages you to engage with Manitoba’s food heritage. Let’s get cooking and capture this delicious creation through the lens of creativity!
Recipe: Manitoba Wild Rice and Caribou Sliders
Description
These Manitoba Wild Rice and Caribou Sliders are a mouthwatering highlight of our culinary journey. The juicy caribou patties are grilled to perfection and topped with a luscious juniper berry compote, bursting with rich flavors. Nestled in soft, lightly toasted wild rice buns, each slider is a mini masterpiece. Accompanied by crispy sweet potato fries seasoned with prairie herbs, this meal is not just visually stunning but also a nod to the natural ingredients that Manitoba has to offer. Perfect for summer gatherings or cozy dinners, these sliders are sure to impress!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground caribou meat
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup juniper berries, foraged and mashed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 Manitoba wild rice buns
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into fries
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp prairie herb seasoning (e.g., sage, thyme, and oregano)
- Fresh greens for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground caribou meat, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and form into 4 patties.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired doneness.
- While the patties are grilling, prepare the juniper berry compote. In a small saucepan, combine the mashed juniper berries, sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
- For the sweet potato fries, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil and prairie herb seasoning on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway, until crispy and golden.
- Lightly toast the wild rice buns on the grill for a few minutes until warmed and slightly crisp.
- Assemble the sliders: Place a grilled caribou patty on the bottom half of each bun, generously spoon the juniper berry compote on top, and finish with fresh greens. Top with the other half of the bun.
- Serve the sliders with sweet potato fries on the side and enjoy your delicious Manitoba-inspired meal!
We encourage you to recreate this stunning dish and capture its beauty through your own photography. The vibrant colors, textures, and flavors will surely make for an unforgettable experience. Happy cooking!

Prompt Engineering: How You Can Make This Image:
Capture an image of Manitoba wild rice and caribou sliders, stacked high with flavor. The caribou patties are perfectly grilled, topped with a tangy berry compote made from locally foraged juniper berries, and served on soft, lightly toasted Manitoba wild rice buns. A side of sweet potato fries, seasoned with prairie herbs, completes the dish. Shoot with a 50mm lens at f/2.8, focusing on the juicy, tender caribou patty and the glistening berry compote, while the buns and fries gently fade into the background. Natural, midday sunlight should illuminate the dish, enhancing the freshness of the ingredients. For an extra touch, include a shot of the sliders being stacked, with berry sauce dripping down the sides. Set the scene on a rustic wooden table outdoors, surrounded by lush greenery to reflect the natural origins of the ingredients. Use a slight overhead angle to capture the layers and textures of the sliders, while incorporating a soft bokeh effect for a dreamy, inviting atmosphere.
About Our 2025 Summer Program
Welcome to our Come Eat With Me Manitoba recipe series, where every week we whip up a brand-new recipe and image inspired by Manitoba’s amazing culinary scene. It’s not just about creating mouth-watering food images—it’s about diving into the world of food development, exploring food security, and discovering how digital tools are changing the way we think about food and creativity. With AI as our creative sidekick, artists craft beautiful food visuals while learning the ins and outs of design, digital media, and even food development itself!
Each week, we’re not just building skills in creative problem-solving and technology—we’re pushing boundaries, experimenting with new ideas, and having fun with the process. So, get ready to learn, create, and explore how technology and food can mix to shape a deliciously creative future!. This program was supported by the OpenAI Researcher Access Program and we thank them for their support in making our programming possible.