You'll Flip for These Corn Fritters

The Bears beat the Panthers and Devon Hester did a triple somersault when I made these corn fritters. Yes, they're that good. 

Whether you make these or some other southern delicacy for Sunday's game, enjoy and  Go Bears!



Carolina Corn Fritters

Ingredients:
3 cups oil for frying
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon shortening, melted
1 (12 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
Sugar

Directions
1. Heat oil in a heavy pot or deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C)
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar
3. Beat together egg, milk, and melted shortening
4. Stir into flour mixture
5. Mix in the corn kernels
6. Drop fritter batter by spoonfuls into the hot oil, and fry until golden
7. Drain on paper towels

8. Sprinkle with sugar and serve hot

Whoo Hoo!

What a weekend. After the Illini extended it's winning streak to 5-0, the Bears served up an excellent running game against the impressive rookie Carolina quarterback. The Highlights:

The fans got to watch Forte and Hester run

The defense was solid

Gould was perfect

Cutler didn't get beaten to a pulp

'da Bears win- Brilliant!

If you want to see Hester's triple somersault again, you'll find video here.

What did you serve in support of our team? This blogger had fried chicken and corn fritters. I'd never made corn fritters before but I found them to be quite easy and tasty. Give them a try:

Ingredients:

3 cups oil for frying

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon shortening, melted

1 (12 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

Sugar

Directions

1. Heat oil in a heavy pot or deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C)

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar

3. Beat together egg, milk, and melted shortening

4. Stir into flour mixture

5. Mix in the corn kernels

6. Drop fritter batter by spoonfuls into the hot oil, and fry until golden

7. Drain on paper towels

8. Sprinkle with sugar and serve hot

This Was Tough!

Wow, North Carolina was tough! They are the South so you'd think food would be a huge part of who they are but .... not so much. Perhaps this is a good sign because the stuff they say they do, they also do poorly. The other side of the coin is that they are fun; they revel in their drink recipes.

This week is a "must have" for da Bears so I've really put extra thought into the menu and the strategy. Apparently the only thing North Carolina does well in the kitchen is southern cooking. Their BBQ, while traditional to the local is usually considered BAD. So, I'm asking all you Bears fans to pick your favorite Southern Specialities and get Cooking. Consider the following:

• Fried Chicken
• Fritters
• Potato Salad
• Cole Slaw
• Fried Fish
• Hush Puppies

Then, let me know what you cooked to help da Bears get their game back!

Charlotte North Carolina Panthers

I visited with Bob Simpson yesterday to throw around ideas about this week's menu. I was confused; Bob was clear and I think he was spot on. Thank you Bob!

My research confirms your belief that Pork BBQ is the right recipe for success! Let's get back to winning - low and slow!

Any thoughts? We really need this win. Go Bears!

Bears BBQ!

Okay fine, last week happened and now it's over. Jay Cutler will be sitting this one out but I won't. The cook is on the field!

I've received some great suggestions and I've done my research as well. Here's the decision. North Carolina is all about Pork BBQ with Cole Slaw on top so let's give them a taste of the winning recipe.

Early in the season I found Mike Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa at World Harvest here in Champaign. After last week I decided another trip to World Harvest - the Mecca of the Foodie World - was a good idea. Based on input from Southern Belle Marjorie Williams, I chose Mike Ditka's Bourbon Blast Hall of Fame Salsa. I also purchased a totally delicious and appropriate BBQ sauce - 3 Buddeez -One of a Rind- Sweet Pickled Watermelon Rind BBQ Sauce.

The pork and sauce is going in the crock pot tonight. Let's hope by Noon tomorrow the Bears are ready to cook the Panthers.

Doing my part ...

Recipe for Disaster

The Bears set a record for allowing the most sacks in one half in NFL history. Jay Cutler left the game with a concussion. Second string quarterback Todd Collins got knocked out of the game leaving it to Caleb Hanie to finish.

Rather than my Giant Fat Sandwich - which was delicious by the way - leading us to a 4-0 record, it led to Giant Ugly Football. While the Bears are busy regrouping and tending to their wounds, I have to do the same in the kitchen. What's the perfect recipe for success against the Carolina Panthers? Help!