Secret Sauce

That Was So Much Fun! I felt like I was watching a reincarnation of the Super Bowl Bears! I enjoyed everything from Mitch Trubisky thanking his team after each touchdown to the great defense. There was a definite rhythm from the beginning. Mine was not a quiet household on Sunday.

Next week the Bears are off, but the week after that we will be honoring Tarik Cohen. He was a total work horse against Tampa running for 184 yards.

I decided at the last minute to make a Peach-Bourbon BBQ Sauce to enhance the pulled pork. Could the Secret Sauce have made the difference? Let's all keep a jar in the fridge just in case. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make.

Peach-Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

1 TB butter

1/2 cup diced sweet onions (1/2 a large onion)

1 tsp minced garlic (1 clove)

1 1/2 cups roughly chopped, peeled peaches

3/4 cup ketchup

1/2 cup bourbon

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

2 TB honey

2 TB molasses

2 TB Dijon mustard

2 TB Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp hot sauce - or more to taste

Directions:

1.  Melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, add garlic and cook until fragrant.

2.  Add all remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until peaches have softened and sauce is slightly thick (about 20 minutes) stirring occasionally.

3.  Puree sauce in a blender and process until smooth. Season with salt and extra hot sauce to taste.

4.  Cool to room temperature, transfer to a jar and store in refrigerator up to 1 month.

Congratulations on Your First TD of The Season!

Congratulations Jordan Howard on your first Touchdown of the season and helping the Bears earn First Place in the division!

Jordan Howard is Alabama through and through. He was born in a suburb outside of Birmingham and played high school ball for the Gardendale Rockets. College ball was with U of Alabama Birmingham in 2013 and 2014.  Even though he was regarded only a 2-star prospect, he began setting school records.

In 2015, UAB shut down its football program and Howard moved to Indiana taking on the likes of Michigan with a season high of 238 yards and 2 touchdowns in his junior year. He opted out of his senior year and entered the NFL.

In 2007, his father "Doc" Howard, a dentist, died of pulmonary fibrosis at 52. Since then, Howard has worn a white t-shirt with a picture of his father under his pads on game day.

Tomorrow this blogger honors Jordan Howard with some Alabama Pulled Pork. It's in the crock pot now.

Alabama Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

Pork Butt Roast

Dry Rub:
     Brown Sugar
     Ancho Chili Pepper
     Chili Pepper
     Cumin
     Pepper
     Garlic Salt
     Smoked Paprika
     Dry Mustard

Liquid:
     Beef Stock
     Apple Cider Vinegar
     Apple Cider

NOTE: You can also smoke this for 6-10 hours. Both are delicious.

Directions:

1.   Rub the roast all over with the dry rub
2.   Spray cooking oil in the crock pot
3.   Place roast in the crock pot with Beef Stock up to half the height of the roast
4.   Add 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar and 1 cup Apple Cider
5.   Set on low over night
6.   Once done, pull the meat in large chunks and pour one cup of sauce per 4 LBs of  
      meat. You can let it sit or serve immediately.

Let's go Jordan and Bears! Let's beat Tampa Bay and maintain our lead.

Trouble in Tampa

Tampa was a tough place for both the Illini and the Bears. Both teams were handed a decisive loss. After the devastation caused by the hurricane, it should have been hard to feel too bad about the games but ..... Ouch!

The Spanish Bean Soup (Sopa de Garbanzo) gave a bit of comfort. Give it a try.

Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
2 chorizos cut in 1" pieces
4 ounces Canadian bacon, diced
2 cans garbanzo beans
15 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup dry white wine
1 large baking potato, peeled and cubed
salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil

Directions:
1.  Heat oil in large pot
2.  Add onion and cook until translucent
3.  Add chorizo and Canadian bacon, cook 3 minutes
4.  Add garbanzo beans with their liquid, tomato sauce, wine and potato
5.  Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes.

Lovin' It

Today we saw old style Chicago football. The Bears looked strong as they churned out a ground game. Cutler was fabulous and Robbie was, once again, on target. It was fun to watch.

While the game does nothing to extend the season, it was an interview of sorts for many of the players. Who do you think stood out? Who do you think should go?

Today was also a chance to watch Lovie's new team. His young quarterback was especially impressive. We will want to keep on eye on the young Buccaneers.

Today's menu was a seafood duo: Shrimp Cocktail and Smoked Fish Dip.

Smoked Fish Dip

Ingredients:
2 Cups flaked smoked whitefish
2 TB mayo
4 TB greek yogurt
Pinch Old Bay Seasoning
4 drops Tabasco
3 drops Worcestershire
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pinch seasoned salt

Directions:
1.  Place fish, mayo and yogurt in food processor
2.  Season with remaining ingredients
3.  Blend until mixture is the consistency of a spread.

A Lump of Coal

Apparently, da Bears were on Santa's naughty list this year. There will be no playoff games and no Pro Bowl for us this year. Tomorrow's game against Tampa Bay is nothing more than an audition for the 2016 season. Do you have favorites who are in jeopardy? Take to the kitchen mateys and help them remain on our beloved Bears.

Choosing a recipe to defeat Tampa Bay will have you looking toward the Caribbean. Specialties include recipes from Cuba, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Think stone crab, cuban sandwiches, conch fritters and others.

These last two games of the 2015 will spotlight the real fans, so get cooking!

Wet and Wicked

Both teams played one half well and one half horribly. It was a wet and wicked game. The Bears were dreadful during the first half. Going into the locker room, they were behind, Matt Forte was showing signs of knee problems and Cutler was looking over his shoulder for the next sack. Somehow, they pulled it together, and came out to play in the second half. The fans, suffering through a rainy game, were rewarded with another win at home.

This cook was beginning to fret during the first half that my choice of Florida Grouper was too obvious. Had Lovie seen my playbook?

Grouper is a large, meaty fish. Mine was breaded in Panko and fried. It was moist and tender. Florida Grouper is usually served on a bun with tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion. Give it a try.

London Got an Eyeful

The fans at Wembley saw an action packed game. There were interceptions, a safety, a third quarter passing route by a fan, more interceptions, and a fourth quarter comeback attempt. Forte continued to produce amazing stats.

The Bucs had their fun in London earlier in the week; da Bears had their fun on the field today. The fish and chips did the job although a late nosh in the fourth quarter was required. That's why we make extra! Rest up gentlemen, you've earned the buy week.

Across the Pond

The Bucs arrived in London on Monday and have focused on bonding as a team and adjusting to the time difference. The Bears practiced at home this week and left for their "business trip" to London on Thursday night. Lovie's plan was for lights out as his team crossed the pond. Let's hope it was the right call.

So what winning menu seems appropriate for a face off with Tampa Bay in London? You just have to say it out loud and the obvious choice enters like an echo - Fish and Chips! Grab the malt vinegar Bears fans, kick off is at Noon CST on Sunday.