This is Personal

My mother and her family grew up in Detroit. Many of her family members still live there so .... it's personal when we play Detroit.

I was glad to hear that Cutler was benched. I am convinced that he doesn't play well with others and, therefore, can never be a leader quarterback. No one will put out the extra effort for him and that's important.

I was delighted to see Clausen celebrate with his team mates. Cutler never does this and whether he throws an interception or a touchdown pass, he just returns to the sidelines. Never a leader; never a team mate.

We came up short today. What the heck was up with the dropped passes? Great passes were dropped - why? Is there a different spin on Cutler's ball versus Clausen's? I have no idea what was going on but I'm hoping Marc Trestman holds firm with Jimmy Clausen.

Today, since it is so personal with the Lions, I went with my Aunts' french toast. As a child, they would each make my sister and I french toast and ask us to say whose what better. They were both delicious. Here's my recipe based on what I learned from them:

French Toast

Ingredients:
White bread
Eggs (1 for every 2 pieces of french toast)
Some: milk, brown sugar and vanilla
Jam, Jelly or Syrup

Directions:
Whip together egg, milk brown sugar and vanilla in a shallow, wide bowl (a pie pan works well)
Dip bread in the egg mixture, leaving it longer is a good thing
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat
When it's melted and warm, add bread that has been soaked in egg mixture
Cover pan with a lid
When one side is brown, turn and brown the other side

Top with either jelly/jam or syrup

Preparing for the Saints

It's been a rough season and everyone associated with the Bears could use a good game tonight. Here's the optimistic version: the team has had time to rest, Cutler knows he's on the hot seat, and the Saints have the same dismal record as the Bears - 5-8.

In this blogger's humble opinion, the problem is a lack of leadership on Jay Cutler's part. The Bears are a group of highly skilled individuals, but they're not a team that has a quarterback they're willing to follow.

Enough said, let's get cooking. Bears fans, pull out your favorite cajun recipe, put on your jerseys and let's win one!

Wet and Wicked

Both teams played one half well and one half horribly. It was a wet and wicked game. The Bears were dreadful during the first half. Going into the locker room, they were behind, Matt Forte was showing signs of knee problems and Cutler was looking over his shoulder for the next sack. Somehow, they pulled it together, and came out to play in the second half. The fans, suffering through a rainy game, were rewarded with another win at home.

This cook was beginning to fret during the first half that my choice of Florida Grouper was too obvious. Had Lovie seen my playbook?

Grouper is a large, meaty fish. Mine was breaded in Panko and fried. It was moist and tender. Florida Grouper is usually served on a bun with tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion. Give it a try.

58 Panes

It was impossible to sit still and watch today's 51-23 loss to New England. Everyone has their own coping mechanisms; mine is cleaning. 

By the second quarter the floors were done. With the Bears trailing 17-0, out came the paint can. The kitchen cabinets needed a few touch ups.  Ah, touchdown Bears - now we're talking. Then it happened. The Patriots scored 3 touchdowns in 57 seconds. Who knew that was even possible? 

By the time this painful game ended, all 58 window panes in the dining room were clean.

As for the menu, let's just say that seafood is 0-2 this season and will likely be benched.

Home Field Disadvantage

First things first - Happy Birthday Coach. Yesterday was Coach Ditka's birthday. I would have enjoyed celebrating by cooking with some of his Hall of Fame Salsa but it appears he's no longer making it. It was a special ingredient in several of my winning recipes and da Bears certainly could have used a healthy dose of Coach Ditka today.

Today, the evil twin showed up to, once again, disappoint the fans at home. Last week's magic was nowhere to be seen. The Bears' evil twins found various ways to turn over the ball three times. Turnovers and home games seem to go hand in hand. Next week da Bears travel to New England. I think I'll start planning my menu now.

Today's losing menu was an homage to Miami's Cuban culture - Red Beans and Rice. Good but no cigar.

It's Not Me, It's You

Now we all know how it feels to be led on. Two weeks in a row during the first half, the Bears showed us how magnificent they could be. Pulses were racing, we felt giddy and even allowed ourselves to dream about the future. Admit it, some of us were dreaming of getting an invitation to the big dance.

Then the second half happened. The Bears became that guy who cheats on us and forgets Christmas. Interceptions, fumbles, even a missed field goal by Mr. Consistent ...

If the Bears were to say that old standard - "It's not you, it's me" - we would believe them. At least this week's recipe was a winner. I hope it eases your pain.

Carolina Pulled Pork

Ingredients:
1 pound pork shoulder roast
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup brewed coffee
1/4 cup Bourbon
1 TB and 2 tsp red wine vinegar
Rub:  Sea Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper, Smoked Paprika

Directions:
1.  Rub pork with seasonings and let sit until the roast is at room temperature
2.  Preheat slow cooker on low for 15 minutes
3.  Place roast in preheated slow cooker
4.  Mix other ingredients and pour over roast
5.  Cook on low for 8 hours
6.  Transfer roast to a platter and shred with 2 forks
7.  Return to slow cooker and add 1/4 cup Carolina BBQ sauce (I used Sticky Fingers Smokehouse)
8.  Return to slow cooker and cook on low for 1 hour