Whoo Hoo!

What a weekend. After the Illini extended it's winning streak to 5-0, the Bears served up an excellent running game against the impressive rookie Carolina quarterback. The Highlights:

The fans got to watch Forte and Hester run

The defense was solid

Gould was perfect

Cutler didn't get beaten to a pulp

'da Bears win- Brilliant!

If you want to see Hester's triple somersault again, you'll find video here.

What did you serve in support of our team? This blogger had fried chicken and corn fritters. I'd never made corn fritters before but I found them to be quite easy and tasty. Give them a try:

Ingredients:

3 cups oil for frying

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon shortening, melted

1 (12 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

Sugar

Directions

1. Heat oil in a heavy pot or deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C)

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar

3. Beat together egg, milk, and melted shortening

4. Stir into flour mixture

5. Mix in the corn kernels

6. Drop fritter batter by spoonfuls into the hot oil, and fry until golden

7. Drain on paper towels

8. Sprinkle with sugar and serve hot

This Was Tough!

Wow, North Carolina was tough! They are the South so you'd think food would be a huge part of who they are but .... not so much. Perhaps this is a good sign because the stuff they say they do, they also do poorly. The other side of the coin is that they are fun; they revel in their drink recipes.

This week is a "must have" for da Bears so I've really put extra thought into the menu and the strategy. Apparently the only thing North Carolina does well in the kitchen is southern cooking. Their BBQ, while traditional to the local is usually considered BAD. So, I'm asking all you Bears fans to pick your favorite Southern Specialities and get Cooking. Consider the following:

• Fried Chicken
• Fritters
• Potato Salad
• Cole Slaw
• Fried Fish
• Hush Puppies

Then, let me know what you cooked to help da Bears get their game back!

Charlotte North Carolina Panthers

I visited with Bob Simpson yesterday to throw around ideas about this week's menu. I was confused; Bob was clear and I think he was spot on. Thank you Bob!

My research confirms your belief that Pork BBQ is the right recipe for success! Let's get back to winning - low and slow!

Any thoughts? We really need this win. Go Bears!

The Little Game That Could've Been

If only / Except for / But if ..... da Bears were stuttering. First an interception by Tillman .... called back by a penalty. A bunch of almost caught passes by Cutler. An interception by Urlacher that was wasted and then a touchdown called back due to holding - except there was no holding. Preposterous!

The menu was a one/two punch with smoked cheese appetizer followed by brats in saeurkraut. Not much of a recipe folks, you just throw the brats, onion and saeurkraut in a crock pot. Serve on a bun with mustard and a schmeer of Coach Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa.

Congratulations to the Lions - 3 and 0h my goodness.

New Strategy

Let's review last season's efforts by this blogger to assist in overcoming the Packers. Game One I made Cheesehead Chowder - a delicious and hearty beer cheese soup. Da Bears won.

When we met our rivals again in December, I made the same Cheesehead Chowder. What was I thinking? That's like handing the Packers the playbook. This blogger has learned her lesson. I will not be announcing the winning recipe until after the game.

Come on Bears, protect Cutler like he's your kid brother and host Green Bay to a heaping helping of the Monsters of the Midway!

Please Coach, Don't Put Me In!

I would not have faulted Cutler if he had hidden in the Gatorade cooler during the second half. I seriously considered having an elective root canal rather than watch the 4th quarter of today's Bears/Saints game. I think Lovey needs to bring in Simon Cowell to talk with the offensive line. The Defense can move on to next week but Cutler's "protection" .... oh never mind, it was just too horrible.

Let's move on to the recipe - the Jambalaya was delish!

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

1 onion chopped

2 stalks celery chopped

1/2 TB minced garlic

1 LB ham, cut in small cubes

1 LB smoked sausage, cut in small cubes

1 1/2 cup uncooked rice

8 oz diced tomatoes w/juice

6 peperocini's diced

2 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth

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

1/4 tsp cayenne or chili powder

1/2 tsp each pepper and salt to taste

Directions

1. Melt butter

2. Saute onion, celery and garlic about 5 minutes

3. Add ham and sausage, brown

4. Add rice, brown for 5 minutes

5. Add tomatoes and peperocini's, cook for 3 minutes

6. Add broth, salsa, and spices - bring to a boil

7. Cover and simmer 45 minutes adding peperocini juice to taste

Go Ahead, Play With Your Food

Today's cooking demonstration was a blast! I shared some tailgating secrets at Illinois Restaurant Week in Champaign. Based on da Bears Pre-Season win against Buffalo, I showed the fans how to make and present Buffalo Butt-Kickin Wings and Buffalo Cups. Of course, I also shared the secret weapon - Coach Ditka's Hall of Fame Salsa.

Thank youChampaign Center Partnership!