Dancing, Singing, Styling and Running Tough

This week we honor #23, Tarik Cohen from Bunn, North Carolina. This mighty young man loves to sing and dance during practice. He also has quite a sense of style as illustrated by this picture from his Facebook page. He likely made quite an impression on his hometown of 344 people.

Tarik must have been singing and dancing after the game he had against the Cardinals. Based on his performance two weeks ago, this blogger will be cooking to honor Cohen this week as the Bears face Miami.

Someone once said of Tarik, "He'll take a chicken shit play and turn it into Chicken Salad." That awesome quote almost resulted in a recipe for Chicken Salad this week but then it Snowed Yesterday! NOOOOO!

Sorry, but Chicken Salad won't cut it when the weather goes from 80 degrees to winter. I checked out the menu at Sisters Cafe in Bunn and,yes, they offer Chicken Salad but they also have Meatloaf. I sure hope you like Meatloaf Tarik because my North Carolina Meatloaf recipe is almost as Awesome as you. Let's get cooking Bears fans!

North Carolina Meatloaf - courtesy of Chapel Hill Service League

Ingredients:
2 # lean ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs (Note, you can substitute ground mushrooms for half the bread crumbs if desired)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz) divided
1/2 cup water
2 TB cider vinegar
3 TB dark brown sugar
2 TB mustard
2 TB Worcestershire sauce

Directions:
1.  Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper, 1/2 can tomato sauce and water. Mix well. Form into a loaf and place in shallow 7 x 10 pan.

2.  In saucepan, combine vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, remainder of tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil. Pour sauce over meatloaf.

3.  Back 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Baste occasionally.

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.

A Shout Out for the Shut Out!

A pot of Spicy Cuban Red Beans and Rice, a roaring Fire and the NFL Network - life is good. It got even better when the Chicago Bears continued their winning streak in Monstrous fashion with a 16-0 Shut Out of the Miami Dolphins. The Bears are now in First Place in the NFC North, half a game ahead of the Packers. Much cheering could be heard by my neighbors!

Here's the winning recipe:

Monstrously Good Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients:

1 pound Chorizo

1/2 a bunch of Cilantro, chopped

1/2 onion chopped

1/3 cup Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Salsa

1 Cup long grain white rice, cooked according to directions

2 cans of Red Beans

1 can Diced Tomatoes

Salt and Pepper to taste

Garlic Powder to taste

Chili Powder (lots) to taste

1 TB Red Chili Flakes

Directions:

1. Remove Chorizo from its casing, in a heavy pot brown the Chorizo, onion and cilantro

2. Meanwhile, prepare the white rice (1 cup rice, 2 cups water)

3. When Chorizo is browned add Salsa, Red Beans, Tomatoes and Seasonings, Simmer

4. Add cooked rice and adjust seasonings, Simmer

Record Breaking Red Beans and Rice

Tonight's the night the Bears take on the motivated Dolphins in Miami - Devin Hester's home town.

Tonight's the night Devin has a chance to break Brian Mitchell's NFL record for kick return touchdowns. He's looking for number 14 on a field where he took the ball 92 yards for a kick return touchdown during Super Bowl XLI.

Excitement like this calls for some spicy ingredients. While Devin's getting his running shoes on, I'll be doing my part by making the Cuban favorite Red Beans and Rice with a healthy helping of Mike Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa.

Let's bring some Bears Spice to Miami tonight - Go Bears!

11 Guys From Miami

Actually, when it comes to Miami's food scene it's 3 guys and they're Cuban. Over 23% of all Miami residents are Cuban so let's look at some traditional Cuban dishes for Thursday night's winning menu. Pork is a big deal in Cuban cuisine, also Paella and Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Rice). What do you think will be the winning ingredients?