"At A Loss For Words"

Brandon Marshall is "at a loss for words." Brian Urlacher believes the only thing elite about Jay Cutler is his money. Coach Ditka is angry. Walter's son, Jarret Payton, said the Packers game left him "embarrassed as a  Bears fan."

Not just the famous are commenting.  I've received texts and emails from other teams' fans, suggesting that I might want to cheer for their teams. Right now, it's painful to be a Bears fan.

From my outside perspective, there seems to be a lack of cohesion. The Bears aren't behaving like a team, they're a group of individuals - many of whom are extremely talented. A successful team wants to work together and to support their quarterback. To say that Jay Cutler isn't warm and fuzzy is an understatement. However, he has to learn how to engender loyalty if he has any chance of being a team leader.

When I was deciding what to cook for the Packers game, I made a mistake. I went back to basics and made Tailgate Chili, believing that was what was needed by the Bears. That's not true. What the Bears need is a team meal where the ingredients work as one. Perhaps Jay should host a party featuring this delicious Italian Beef. In this recipe, all the ingredients work together to support the quarterback:

Chicago Style Italian Beef

3 LB Sirloin Tip Roast
32 Ounces Beef Broth
1 package of Good Seasons Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
1 jar Pepperoncini Peppers
1 jar Giardiniera (in oil)

Spray your crockpot with Pam. Add all ingredients and cook on Low for 24 hours or longer turning every 6 hours.

Uncle Jim Asked

Glad you asked.

The regular season begins this Sunday at Noon in Soldier Field. The opponent is the Indianapolis Colts led by Andrew Luck. So what do you football / foodie fans think is the perfect menu choice to beat the Colts and Andrew Luck?

Here's what we know about him. He was born into a football family in  Washington DC. Lived in England, Germany and Texas before choosing Stanford - coached by former Bears QB Jim Harbaugh - as his college home.

Here's what we know about Indiana - Corn, Corn, Sweets and more Corn.

Brian Urlacher will be on the field. The dynamic duo of Cutler and Marshall will be at the ready. Robbie Gould is always Golden. Matt Forte has a contract - Yes!! Peanut (who loves banana bread) will be ready. Let's do them proud!

Bear Down, Chicago Bears ....

Comfort Food

I am not sure if I'm glad the season is over or not. Today's game against the Vikings was a lot of fun and a final win in the stats. We saw amazing football from both sides. McCown did a great job for da Bears showing courage and ability in the pocket. What fun it was to see Peanut grab the football and run it in for a touchdown.

The Vikings brought their game as well. 69 Dude! I was rooting for you. You're a football fan's football player. And Webb, I would be pleased to see you in a Bears uniform. Your moves, balance and decision making was amazing.

All in all, it was a fun game until the ghost of 2011 reappeared in the form of Major Wright colliding with Urlacher. Now we have to wait to hear from the trainers to learn the extent of Brian's injury.

Today's menu choice was perfect to end this injury-prone season. Minnesota fancies something called a hotdish which is basically a comfort food casserole. Goulash is my ultimate comfort food and I must say I enjoyed it. Treat yourself to some warm comfort on a cold winter day.

Goulash
Ingredients:
1 LB Ground Beef
1 Onion, chopped
1 tsp Garlic, chopped
1 Large Can of Diced Tomatoes
1/2 Bag of Dumpling Sized Egg Noodles, Cooked and Drained
Pepper and Season Salt to taste

Directions:
1.  Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside
2.  Brown ground beef, onion and garlic. Drain.
3.  Add diced tomatoes, noodles, salt and pepper.
4.  Simmer for 30 minutes.

Monster Mash

Thanks to Jib Jab, I am now able to join Brian Urlacher, Matt Forte and Devin Hester for some Monster Mashin' Dancing. Check out the fun as we prepare to visit the Lions Monday night.

The Little Game That Could've Been

If only / Except for / But if ..... da Bears were stuttering. First an interception by Tillman .... called back by a penalty. A bunch of almost caught passes by Cutler. An interception by Urlacher that was wasted and then a touchdown called back due to holding - except there was no holding. Preposterous!

The menu was a one/two punch with smoked cheese appetizer followed by brats in saeurkraut. Not much of a recipe folks, you just throw the brats, onion and saeurkraut in a crock pot. Serve on a bun with mustard and a schmeer of Coach Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa.

Congratulations to the Lions - 3 and 0h my goodness.

Brian's Back!

Watch out New Orleans, Brian Urlacher is in the House! Da Bears will be at full strength on Sunday so it's time to get cookin'. I'm bringing my A-Game: Jambalaya with a Kick! It's time for a trip to World Harvest in Champaign for Mike Ditka's Hall of Fame salsa and other special goodies. Check out this fun article about the salsa.

Cooks, it's time to whip up another win - Cajun style!

Cajun in the Kitchen

I'm still grinning thinking about Brian scooping up that football and running it in for a touchdown. But, just like our Bears, it's time to focus on next week's opponent - the New Orleans Saints.

There are so many Cajun choices when it comes to dishing up a Bears win. Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, Gumbo, Dirty Rice .... Wow, it's beginning to sound like a Mardi Gras win. What say you, Bears Fans?