NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS: COWBOYS AT VIKINGS

We're all set for some good old Texas BBQ and football today at the JoeknowsBBQ household! The winner of today's matchup will go to New Orleans to meet the 'Aints in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday on FOX! My keys to the game is to give McKinnie and Loadholt help with Shiancoe, Dugan, and Kleinsasser. Chip Ware and Spencer, and give #4 time to get the ball into the hands of Percy Harvin.

Skol Vikes!

TODAYS BEER:
In doing my research I learned that true Cowboy Beer, is when you drink a beer, piss it out and then drink that. That piss is known as Cowboy Beer, as if you were in the desert and wanted to get twice as much bang for your buck. Judging by today's selection of Lone Star Beer, it looks like this Austin, TX brewery has come mighty close to the original thing.


TODAY'S FOOD:

DALLAS COWBOY BRISKET

3 lb. boneless brisket
1/2 bottle stubbs BBQ sauce
1 can of Pepsi -important- Jerry Jones has an endorsement from Pepsi- the other NFL teams have one with Coke and so does the NFL.
3 tablespoons dried ground onion (another recipe I saw years ago called for Lipton Onion Soup mix)
2 tablespoons garlic powder
Black Pepper to taste

1. Preheat Smoker with 1/2 Hickory & Mesquite to 325 degrees
2. Combine ingredients, wrap brisket in foil "faux dish" and cover with mixture.
3. Cover with another layer over top of brisket and crimp edges to seal.
4. Cook 5 hours, and slice against the grain.

WEEK 17: VIKINGS vs GIANTS

And so its come down to this...the last week of the regular season. We win and the Eagles lose, we get a bye next week. The Eagles win they get they get the bye...we both lose, and Dallas gets the bye, unless Arizona wins...UUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!My head just exploded.

In any event, it should be a great day of football. I've got 12 of the Brooklyn Beers in the fridge, ready for 1:00, and a pot of this Minestrone on the stove. This is another variation of a Madden recipe. We changed it up to give it a little more flavor.

1 Chopped onion
1 leek chopped
3 tblsp. olive oil
2 tblsp. parsley
4 bay leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup bacon bits or bacos
1/2 teasp. seasoning salt
1 tblsp. basil
1 teasp. oregano
4 sage leaves
2 carrots, diced
2 potatoes, diced
2 stalks celery chopped
2 zucchini chopped
1/2 head savoy cabbage shredded
1/2 can tonatoe paste
24 oz. can crushed tomatoes
3 cans beef broth
2 cans water
1 teasp. salt
2 tbslp. black pepper
16 oz. can cannellini beans
Handlful Elbow Macaroni

1. Sautee' onion garlic and leek in oil.
2. Add italian seasonings.
3. Add bacos and basil.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients (excpet beans and macaronis) and simmer on low 20 minutes.
5. Add beans and mac, cover and simmer on very low for an hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve with Italian Bread....and Brooklyn Pennant Ale!

Skol Vikings!

WEEK 15: VIKINGS at PANTHERS

CAROLINA BBQ WEEK! THE SNOW CANT STOP THE BOYS FROM BBQING!

GO VIKES!

CAROLINA STYLE BBQ RIBS

This recipe uses a home-made marinade that is vinegar based as a lot of Carolina BBQ Sauces are vinegar based. It snowed up here in Philly/SNJ this week as you can see, so we had to make do with the temps and add about 5-10 minutes on the grill. I found this recipe online, and love it! kudos to whoever wrote it.

3 lbs. Country Styls BBQ Pork Ribs
2 Cups Apple Cidar Vinegar
1 Cup Cold Water
2 Tblsp. Veg. Oil
2 Tblsp. Molasses
1 Tablsp. Kosher Salt
1.5 Teasp. Red Pepper
1/2 Teasp. Cayenne


1. Mix Marinade and set aside 1 cup
2. Add the rest to the ribs and seal in a plastic bag for 4-6 hours.
3. Grill on Indirect heat for 45 minutes, baste with remaining marinade during last 15 min.

WEEK 14: VIKINGS vs BENGALS (click this title link for a great hit)

We had a great time with the boys today watching thgis game and eating some great Ohio Chili. First, check out the link above for the greatest hit ever on #85 Chad Ochocinco by Cedric Griffin. Hey Chad, thats why you dont talk smack coming into the terrordome brother.

Skol Vikings!

CINCINNATI GOLD STAR PASTA CHILI

1.5 lbs. Ground Chicken
1.5 lbs. Ground Pork
Dash Sugar
1/2 Cup Red Wine
24 oz. Can Tomatoe Paste
64oz. Water
1 pack McCormick Chili Spice
3 Tblsp. Chili Powder
1 Tablsp. Cinnamon
1 Tablsp. Cloves
1 Tablsp. Ground Allspice
1 Tablsp. Chipotle Pepper
1 Tablesp. White Pepper
1 Tablsp. Garlic Powder
1 Teasp. Ginger
1 Teasp. Nutmeg
Salt
Pepper
24 oz. Kidney Beans
1 Large Onion, Chopped
Spaghetti

1. Sautee Onions in a little water.
2. Add water, and Boil Meat in it , and slowly add tomatoe paste. Bring to boil.
3. Add spices and stir. Cover. Simmer 2 hours.
4. Cook Spaghetti.
4. Serve Chili over top of Spaghetti, and cover with shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese.

WEEK 13: VIKINGS at CARDINALS

VIKES MAGIC NUMBER IS 4 for a first round bye, and 2 to win the division!

LETS DO DIS...

Todays Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Todays Dish: Southwest Pork Chops

4 Pork Chops

2 teasp. Cilantro

1 teasp. minced garlic

1/2 teasp. Oregano

1/2 teasp. Paprika

1/2 teasp. Cayenne Pepper

1 teasp. Ground Chipotle Chili Powder

1 Tblsp. Lime Juice

1/2 Cup Stubbs BBQ Sauce

1 Medium Onion Chopped

- Combine first 6 Ingredients to make a dry rub. Apply to Pork Chops.

- Mix BBQ Sauce, Lime Juice, and Onions. Mix well.

-Place Chops in Ziploc Bag and pour in BBQ Sauce mixture. Refrigerate bag for 4-6 hours or overnight.

Heat Charcoal Grill and Cook Chops 8-10 minutes each side.

SKOL VIKES!

WEEKS 12 (&16): VIKINGS vs BEARS

Looks like Mr. Cutler sucks and choosing beers, almost as much as choosing Receivers to throw to. Today, we face the hated Bears.

Todays Beer: LONG TRAIL HIBERNATOR WINTER ALE

Todays Food: ITALIAN POLISH SAUSAGE SANDWICHES

-Sprinkle Links With Seasoned Salt and Black Pepper and place over indirect heat for 15-20 minutes

- Saute Onions, Red and Green Peppers in Olive Oil with 2 Tblsp. Garlic, Salt, an White Wine

- Last 2 minutes place buns on grill to toast

Stack Links on roll and pour 1/2 capful of red wine vinegar on links, then top with onion, pepper mix

SKOL VIKES!

WEEK 11: VIKINGS vs SEAHAWKS

What the hell is a "Seahawk anyway?"
TODAYS OPPONENT: The Seahawks
TODAYS BEER: Flying Fish (get it?)
TODAYS LUNCH: SCALLOPS AND APPLES or as we call it in Philly SCAPPLE....
TODAYS DINNER: BEER CAN SEAHAWK (Chicken)

The Vikings at 8-1 host the Seahawks today. I'm the only one who thinks this is a dangerous game. The Hawks have talent, and you never know which team you'll get. We're starting to get banged up too.

Anyway, playing the fish that can fly or whatever that is, gives me an opportunity to have ne of my favorite IPA's in recent years, Flying Fish brewery's Hopfish India Pale Ale. I think it's second only to the Dogfish Head's 60 and 90 minute IPAs. It also gives me a chance to combine 2 cool meals. My own recipe of Scallops and Apples (use Washington State) as well as Beer Can Chicken. Lets start wih Beer Can Chicken..

BEER CAN CHICKEN

1 Whole Chicken
1 Can Beer (I prefer Lager for this)
Garlic Salt
Black Pepper
Mesquite Chicken Seasoning
Italian Seasoning
Olive Oil

Preheat grill for indirect heat.
Cover Chicken in Olive Oil
Mix the beer and the remaining ingredients in a platic sealed container and shake.
Pour half of the container over the chicken, and funnel the rest into the empty beer can.
Stuff the can up the chicken so he can "sit" on it as shown.
Cook 2 and a half hours in indirect heat, to internal temperature of 170-180 degrees.
Removes can, cover with broth and enjoy.

SKOL VIKES!