Excellent Memories for Seattle Fans - and one high school girl

There were some highlights for Bears fans in the first half but, perhaps, the best feel good moment was the picture of our street models with an unsuspecting high school girl. Kyle Long and Matt Forte interrupted a senior portrait session and asked if they could be in the picture. Claiming to be street models, they struck a pose.

On the field, Forte was a work horse. However, penalties, a weak offense, a 64 yard punt return and a 105 year record kick return proved too much for the Bears. They were shut out and returned to Chicago with an 0-3 record. Tough times. Perhaps Jeffrey's expected return next week will take some of the work load off Forte. No word yet on Cutler's status.

This week's menu: Crab Cake with Mustard Cream Sauce

Ingredients - Small Crab Cakes
16 oz fancy lump crabmeat, drain and remove cartilage
1 egg, lighly beaten
1/3 cup greek yogurt
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
1 tsp lemon zest
1 cup panko breadcrumbs, divided
Pepper to taste
Cooking spray

Ingredients - Mustard Cream Sauce
1/3 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup greek yogurt
1 TB dijon mustard
1 TB lemon juice

Directions:
1.  Mix together crabmeat, egg, yogurt, green onion, lemon zest, pepper and 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2.  Form mini crab cakes about the size of a tablespoon and coat in remaining breadcrumbs
3.  Place on parchment baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray
4.  Bake 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown
5. Mix all ingredients for mustard cream sauce and serve with crab cakes

Micro Brew and Container Gardening - No Farmers Here

It's easy to abandon the farmers this week. Not only did they turn their backs on us the last two weeks, but Seattle doesn't have farmers. If you want to stick with this losing theme, you can stretch the term to include fishermen. There are plenty of fishermen.

This blogger's chosen to return to the food of the opponent's people.Looking at Seattle's iconic food yields some interesting results and comparisons. For example, we have the Chicago Dog - they have hot dogs smothered in cream cheese. You probably need to try it before you recoil - or not.

Seattle is all about seafood including shell fish like the one above. Interesting.

Coffee, apples, Walla Walla onions, dutch babies, teriyaki and rainier cherries are some of the other foods associated with Seattle. Past menus have included coffee rubbed pork tenderloin and shrimp bisque. Both were delicious. If you'd like to look up the recipes, enter Seattle into the search bar.

As you prepare your menu for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, make a bit extra for Jeffrey and Cutler. They'll be sitting on the sidelines and might appreciate having a bit of nosh.

Seahawks Fly In To Soldier Field

Darrell Roya once said:  "One player was lost because he broke his nose. How do you go about getting a nose in condition for football?" da Bears certainly have their share of injuries and many of those injured are going to take the field. Roar! Tillman and Forte are likely to play while Hester's concussion will keep him out of Sunday's game. Let's now forget that Cutler is likely still recovering from his most recent concussion.  On the Seahawks side we're looking at Trufant, Bryant and Hill. It's a tough game and this blogger hopes for an injury free game this week for both sides. As you consider your Seattle menu, you have a lot to choose from. There is fresh fish of many varieties beginning with Salmon. Mushrooms and fruit are featured at the many extraordinary Farmer's Markets. Ethnic food has made a huge impact - especially Thai and Indian. And of course in Seattle, there is always coffee whether it is straight, in the main dish or in desert. It is lurking. So what do you think is your winning dish against the Seattle Seahawks?

An Injured Season

Before I start wallowing in my misery about the outcome, I have to say that Caleb Hanie's first half was really good. He was getting into a nice rhythm and connecting. Also, the defense after Johnny Knox's played like they were possessed by the spirit of Papa Bear. My smoked salmon spread seemed like a good choice.

So what happened in the locker room? The second half was as flat as the box of pajamas from Grandma. Today signaled the end of any playoff hopes for this year.

It also signaled the end of the year for Johnny Knox. On the second possession he was hurt and remained down for a significant amount of time. Finally, he was placed on a back board and driven off the field. That's a terrifying sight for any football fan. Johnny Knox is not only a hugely important contributor to da Bears, he's an all around nice guy. Take yesterday for example.

Yesterday he was in Englewood - one of Chicago's historically struggling neighborhoods. His foundation - Opportunity Knox - teamed up with Hands of Hope to bring Christmas cheer to the children and families of Englewood. They provided toys, gifts, food, music, pictures with team members, and memorabilia to the children and families of Englewood. Merry Christmas Mr. Knox. I hope Santa provides you with a speedy recovery!

Bears Smoke the Seahawks

Again the Monsters of the Midway returned to Soldier Field. Da Bears offense joined forces with the defense to rack up 35 points. Tillman did a fabulous job handling Mike Williams - even though Peanut was getting over the flu. Cutler outrushed the entire Seahawks team and penalties were extremely low. What a great game! The winning recipe was Smoked Salmon Dip. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 cups flaked smoked salmon

2 TB fat free mayo

4 TB fat free sour cream

2 tsp Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Salsa

3 drops Worcestershire sauce

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a bowl and combine using a fork until dip is the consistency you want.

Smokin' Seattle

What menu do you fans suggest for the Seattle Seahawks/Bears game? The last time we played things went awry. The menu was Shrimp Bisque and Smoked Salmon. It was delicious and sounded perfect to me but it wasn't. Did I go overboard? Should I have chosen one over the other? Help! I'm so ready to do the SuperBowl Shuffle again. What do you think the winning recipe is?

The One-Two Punch

Lunch was delicious; the game gave me heartburn. Hester's 86 yard run was a thing of beauty but watching Cutler get sacked and sacked and sacked is beyond ugly.

I thought I'd chosen the perfect menu. I described it as the one-two punch: Shrimp Bisque and Smoked Salmon. When I heard the announcers regularly use the term "one-two punch" to describe what Seattle was doing to the Bears, my heart sank. I'll have to do better next week when we take on the Redskins. In the meantime, here's the recipe from the Williams-Sonoma "Soups" cookbook:

3 TB unsalted butter

2 Carrots, finely chopped

1 yellow onion, finely chopped

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1 small baking potato, peeled and finely chopped

2 LBs small shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells reserved

2 cups fish stock (or chicken broth)

2 cups light cream

1/2 TB dried Thyme

1 bay leaf, crumbled

Salt and White pepper to taste

In large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, celery, potato and shrimp shells and saute until the onion is translucent and the shells turn pink (about 3 min)

Add stock, cream, thyme, bay leaf and all but a handfull o9f the shelled shrimp. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 min.

In small batches, puree the soup in a food processor or blender - guard against splattering

Force the puree through a strainer pressing the solids with a wooden spoon.

Return the soup to the pan and season to taste with salt and white pepper. Cut the remaining shrimp into small chunks and add to the soup. Simmer until warm (about 3 min).

Serves 4-6

Seems Fishy to Me

Other than a good strong cup of coffee, Seattle is known for its seafood. While you don't usually think about Tailgaiting and Seafood together - I think it can be done. Sunday's weather at Soldier Field should be sunny and 60's - a beautiful fall afternoon. My stream of consciousness goes .... fall, crisp, soup, football, Campbell's Chunky Soups, seafood soup - That's it!

First stop is Pike's Place Fish Market - Seattle's favorite fish market - for some recipes and tips. Join me as we virtually browse the market and put together the winning recipe. What do you suggest?

BBQ Rocked My World

A tasty and winning combination of spices, flavors, field goals and touchdowns. What a great recipe! Even though Cutler was on the sidelines, the Bears looked like Bears immediately out of the gate.

I did have to shovel in some BBQ early in the second half but all was good and we're now 4 and 1 winning 23-6. Hip, Hip, Halas! Just as my joy reached its crescendo, I had this thought "Yeesh, next week is Seattle. What are their foodie specialties? Coffee what?" I really need your help on this one folks. Log in with your ideas and Go Bears!!