Cutler Smiles and Hugs Players

The world is certainly different for Jay Cutler this year. Today we saw him smiling, hugging and genuinely enjoying the game and his team. If this keeps up, Bears fans are in for a raucously fun season. Thank you Virginia for bringing Coach Fox. What a difference he has made.

Today's 37-13 win against the St. Louis Rams was reminiscent of better days. Even without Matt Forte, da Bears were Monsters. Let's keep it up.

The winning menu combined two St. Louis essential elements: Lovely Italian Food and produce from the Soulard Market. Enjoy this delicious Spaghetti Squash Bolognese.

Spaghetti Squash Bolognese

Ingredients:
1/2 pound Ground Beef, browned
3 carrots, in food processor
1/2 onion, in food processor
2 cloves garlic, in food processor
1 small can tomato paste
Olive Oil
1/2 jar of spaghetti sauce - your choice
Spices to taste: Basil, Salt and Pepper

Directions:
1. Chop vegetables
2.  Heat olive oil
3.  Add vegetables and cook until soft
4.  Add tomato paste and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly
5.  Set aside
6.  Brown ground beef
7.  Drain and add to tomato paste mixture
8.  Add spaghetti sauce to taste
9.  Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and place on baking sheet]
10. Preheat oven to 375 and brush the inside of spaghetti squash with olive oil, salt and pepper
11. Cook cut side down for 40 minutes on a baking sheet
12. Using a fork, scrape the spaghetti squash and magic happens - it becomes spaghetti!
13. Serve spaghetti squash with sauce and perhaps a touch of pesto - Delizioso!

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!

A Team Effort

Despite the friction caused by Cutler's comments last week, da Bears worked as a team to defeat the St. Louis Rams. The defense was superb, the offense had some bright moments and Robbie Gould was predictably perfect. I'm anxious to hear Cutler praise his team.

What was on your menu for today? After much fussing, I went with the house favorite Chili with some Provel Cheese on the side. I've never had Provel before but it quite tasty. I made today's Chili a tad spicy because I like it that way and I had some St. Louis antacids - Tums - in the house just in case. No need, the spice was just right for this chilly afternoon.

Creamy Chili

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cans of chili beans
1 can tomato soup
1/4 cup salsa
Chili Powder (a lot) to taste
Pickled jalapenos, chopped (to taste)
Additional Seasonings to taste: Salt, pepper, cumin, season salt and ancho chili powder

Directions:
Season ground beef with chili powder and additional seasonings
Add onion and jalapenos to the seasoned meat and brown, drain
Add beans, salsa and tomato soup, simmer
Add more chili powder and seasonings as desired
Simmer for at least 30 minutes

Bears Host The Rams

Which Bears team will we see this Sunday when the St. Louis Rams enter Soldier Field?

ESPN and CBS Sports predict we will see a Bears win. Vegas considers Chicago an 8 point favorite. That's great and, after last week's game, the Bears are likely highly motivated. However, we will be without Forte and likely without Tillman. Urlacher expects to play but has seen limited practice while he continues to get used to his knee's new normal. In short, there are a few hurdles to overcome.

What can the fans cook up to help our team? Surprisingly, quite a few foods cite St. Louis in their genealogy.  Possibilities include toasted ravioli, hot dogs sized to the bun, vinegar basted pork steaks, hamburger, chili, provel cheese, brain sandwich, peanut butter, prosperity sandwich and - appropriately - Tums.

Make your best selection, hum the Bears fight song as you cook, don your jersey and prepare to cheer da Bears on to victory!