FlubberGate

The Bears and the Vikings play tonight at TCF Bank Stadium due to the collapse of the Metrodome. It will be cold and snowing but the major concern is the field. Players are concerned that it's too hard. My solution - Flubber it!

Certainly with Minnesota being home to 3M they must have access to some of that bouncy substance. What's the hold up? Why hasn't the field been Flubbered? Is there some sort of conspiracy? We'll find out tonight my friends. In the meantime, the Beef Vegetable Wild Rice Soup is in the kitchen.

Go Bears!

RSVP and We'll Send The Address

We still don't know where the Bears-Vikings Game will be hosted. Current plans are to play the game at a local University but there are safety concerns. I'd be happy to have them play the game at the University of Illinois where the Bears played one season while Soldier Field was being renovated but- alas - that would count as home field advantage so we wait.

However, I don't think we need to wait on the menu. Since the last time we played the Vikings the we were successful (27-13) I think we should go with the winning recipe - Wild Rice Beef Vegetable Soup. Here's what worked last time, any suggestions for the upcoming frozen tundra?

Wild Rice Beef Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 pound stew meat, cut in bite size pieces

1 onion diced

2 stalks of celery diced

2 carrots diced

1 large can of beef broth

2 cans Veg All

1 can diced tomatoes

1/4 cup Mike Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa

1 box of wild rice (cooked)

fresh sliced mushrooms

sliced Provolone cheese

Directions:

1. Brown stew meat in 1 TB Olive Oil and 1 TB Butter

2. Add onion, carrots and celery and cook until onions are translucent

3. Add beef broth and diced tomatoes, simmer for 45 minutes

4. Add Veg All and Mike Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa

5. Continue simmering soup while preparing wild rice according to package directions

6. Add cooked wild rice to soup

To Serve:

Place individual servings of soup in a bowl. Put fresh mushrooms on top of soup and cover with a slice of Provolone cheese. Place in microwave for about 1 minute to melt cheese. Serve, Enjoy and Go Bears!

Oh Misery!

Sure there was snow and ice and wind at Soldier Field but there were also supposed to be Bears. What the heck was that all about? Who were those people wearing Bears' jerseys?

I sat with a group of friends and felt like I was introducing my family to a boyfriend who everyone but me recognized as the kid in school voted least likely to ..... do anything. Those aren't my Bears!

The only positive was the exceptionally delicious Clam Chowder served by Marjorie. Here's a great Clam Chowder Recipe from Legal Seafood:

BEARS (FANS) EAT CLAM CHOWDER IN NEW ENGLAND!

Recipe By : The Legal Sea Foods Cookbook

Serving Size : 8

Ingredients:

4 quarts littleneck clams (about 1-2/3 cups cooked -- chopped)

1 clove garlic -- chopped

1 cup water

2 ounces salt pork -- finely chopped

2 cups chopped onions

3 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 pounds potatoes -- peeled, and diced

into 1/2-inch cubes

4 1/2 cups clam broth

3 cups Fish Stock

2 cups light cream

Oyster crackers (optional)

Directions:

1. Clean the clams and place them in a large pot along with the garlic and water. Steam the clams just until opened, about 6 to 10 minutes, depending upon their size. Drain and shell the clams, reserving the broth.

2. Mince the clam flesh, and set aside.

3. Filter the clam broth either through coffee filters or cheesecloth and set aside.

4. In a large, heavy pot slowly render the salt pork. Remove the cracklings and set them aside.

5. Slowly cook the onions in the fat for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently, or until cooked through but not browned.

6. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.

7. Add the reserved clam broth and Fish Stock, and whisk to remove any flour lumps.

8. Bring the liquid to a boil, add the potatoes, lower the heat, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, about 15 minutes.

9. Stir in the reserved clams, salt-pork cracklings, and light cream. Heat the chowder until it is the temperature you prefer. Serve in large soup bowls with oyster crackers on the side.

Bundle Up Fans!

It will be a cold, snowy day Sunday when Da Bears host the leaders of the AFC East in Soldier Field. The New England Patriots and Tom Brady bring their 10-2 record while Devin Hester aims to set an NFL record for Kickoff Returns for a Touchdown.

Fans will get their first look at Herman Johnson - The House - who joins the Offensive Line this week. The House was the biggest baby ever born in Louisiana weighing in at 15 pounds 14 ounces. I wonder if he knows how to shuffle?

What to serve for this icy matchup? New England Clam Chowder will warm up the day. I'm passing the cooking honors to a Clam Chowder Super Star but I'll contribute the the Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Salsa to our Fans-Only Food Fest. Go Bears!

Those Teddy Bears Have Teeth!

The Lions played Elvis Presley's "Teddy Bear" as the Bears took the field. I guarantee you, Lions fans, those Bears have teeth and some amazingly faithful friends who helped fill Ford Field.

Both the Lions and the Bears brought it. It was a good game and almost a record day for Hester. Next week at Soldier Field against the Patriots may be the day but whenever it happens I Guarantee I'll be joining all Bears fans in a Standing Ovation, Shouting from the Rooftops and whispering a not so quiet Thank You for Devon's talent and spirit.

I learned from Larry Mayer's blog that Ford Field has some of the worst food in the press box. I have to say I didn't especially enjoy today's Coney Dogs. I prefer Chili Dogs because they have more bite. Did I mention Da Bears have teeth? I had some chips and onion dip on the side but I put away that away after the first half when it obviously was not helping. I switched to Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Salsa and Chips.

For those of you who like Coney Dogs, here's what I used for today's Winning Recipe:

Ingredients:

1/4 LB Hamburger

1/2 onion chopped

1 can Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Chili Powder

2 TB Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Salsa

Salt and Pepper to taste

Nathan's Hot Dogs

Hot Dog Buns

Directions:

1. Brown hamburger and onion, drain

2. Add Spices, Salsa and Chili Sauce, heat

3. Cook hot dogs under the broiler

4. Top with Coney Island Sauce

5. Win!

Now it's off to put together a babydoll stroller. Where's Peanut Tillman? I need his help.

The Motor City

The Bears played the Lions the first game of the regular season. I didn't cook; a friend brought the food. We only pulled out a victory when I pulled out the Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Salsa. This week will be different. I'll be cooking because I know that sometimes teams with poorer records are motivated and I want to Do My Part!

But I'm not sure which direction to go. Detroit is the home of the original Coney Dog. It

is also my birthplace. One of the most traditional foods for my family is Navy Bean Soup - southern style with cornbread, chopped onion and a kick of salsa.

What do you think fans: Coney Dogs or Bean Soup? My Detroit relatives are not allowed to vote!

Sweet Standings

It's time to celebrate the Bears leading the NFC North. I believer JKT's famous Ginger Bends are just the treat. Soft, delicious ginger cookies are easily mixed with a fork - don't even think of using the beater.

Ginger Bends

Ingredients:

1 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Butter

1/4 C Briar Rabbit Molasses (mild)

1 Egg

2 tsp Baking Soda

2 1/4 Cups Flour

1/2 tsp Ginger

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Melt Butter

2. Add Sugar, Molasses and Egg to the Butter and stir with a fork

3. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl

4. Slowly add dry ingredients to butter mixture, stirring with a fork

5. Chill

6. Make 1 inch balls and roll in Sugar

7. Great Cookie Sheets

8. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

9. Enjoy!