What Do You Suppose Forte and Long Will Do For Fun in St. Louis?

Matt Forte is questionable against the Rams tomorrow. If he can't have fun on the field, perhaps he will have to settle for photo bombing Kyle Long's brother Chris, who is also questionable for tomorrow's game.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are planning our menus to help Kyle's prediction of a playoff run come true. St. Louis is home to the great Soulard Market, the Hill featuring delicious Italian food, and, of course, there's beer.

The Edward Jones Dome offers an eclectic choice of foods including strange donuts; St. Louis BBQ, chocolate covered marshmallows, French food and fried green tomatoes.

This blogger has chosen her menu - have you? Let's get cooking and let's go Bears!

Suit Up

Pull out that jersey and get ready for the first game of the regular season. Packers fans, which jersey will you choose - Aaron Rodgers or Matt Forte? According to the Jersey Report from Dick's Sporting Goods, number 22 is the best selling jersey in Wisconsin outselling Aaron Rodgers. What??? You have to respect Matt's talent and demeanor. Well done, Packers fans for recognizing real class.

An interesting fact about Matt: He lives in a small community of 547 whose mayor is Brian Urlacher's brother.

As we prepare to face off for game 1 of the season, are all the cooks ready with their winning recipe? This Bears fan has chosen. The recipe, pictures and comments will be posted after the game.

In the meantime, if you need some help choosing, here's a recap of some of the delicious recipes in the Bears/Packers rivalry:

• Cheesehead Chowder
• Sausage and Smoked Cheese Balls
• Tailgate Chili
• Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Soup

All were delicious, but perhaps the most unique was the Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Soup. Enjoy!

Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

2 TB butter

1 1/2 stalks celery, diced

1/2 small onion, diced

2 TB flour

1/4 cup plus 2 TB half and half

1/12 cups chicken broth

1 cup cubed, cooked chicken

2 TB buffalo wing sauce

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Melt butter, saute celery and onion until tender - about 5 minutes

2.  Add flour and cook about 2 minutes - stir constantly

3.  Slowly stir in half and half and broth. Stir until slightly thickened

4.  Add chicken, buffalo wing sauce and cheese. Season with salt and pepper

5.  Reduce heat to medium-low, stirring occasionally. Simmer until cheese has completely melted - about 10 minutes.

Bye Bye!

Note to Self: 
When you have a Superstar Running Back that keeps delivering and the fans love, lock him in with a new contract.
- Signed, Jerry

Today, the Bears let GM Jerry Angelo go. By the way, they're keeping Matt Forte. Just sayin'.

Football Frenzy!

Now that's what I call Fun! Da Bears played like - well, da Bears! The offensive line was present; Hester was a presence and Gould was - and still is - Perfect! Let's take it across the pond guys!

The winning menu was a combination of defense and offense. On the defense was a Minnesota staple - Wild Rice and White Fish. The offense topped it off with some shrimp as a a tip of the hat to Matt Forte's Louisiana home. The fish and shrimp were poached in some chicken broth seasoned with dill, dried mustard, pepper and Louisiana seasoned salt. After the fish and shrimp were plated on top of the wild rice, some half and half was added to the broth and allowed to thicken a bit. A little broth over the rice and Voila! a winning recipe.

Forte vs Peterson?

I admit it, I've been enjoying a Forte Frenzy since Matt's first season. He so reminds me of Sweetness. This week will be a battle of the running backs and I've got my hopes and my menu pinned on Matt.

Putting together the menu for a must win game against the Minnesota Vikings involves some offense and defense.  The offense has to be a staple of the opposing team. Some good choices include whitefish and wild rice. Usually the defense is based on Coach Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa. This week let's add a nod to Matt Forte's Louisiana roots. What will you be cooking to bring our Bears a win?

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.

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

PreSeason Pantry Check

The humidity has broken, camp is open and Bears fans are hoping for a spectacular season. Our first look at da Bears is tonight at 7 when they host Buffalo at Soldier Field. Wings are on the menu! Are you ready to play Matt?