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 3: VIKINGS vs SF 49ERS

ANCHOR STEAM BEER, SAN FRAN CHICKEN, and RICE A RONI

Only thing else we need is a win today in our home opener vs the Niners and we're set. The first and last are self-explanatory. Here's the middle...SKOL VIKES!:

SAN FRAN CHICKEN

This is a slight variation of a recipe I found a long time ago in a book by John Madden I had years ago. His recipe is a little different (called Sicilian BBQ Chicken, and came from San Francisco), but he inspired this dish:

Marinade: 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons Oregano, 3 cups white wine, 8 garlic cloves, minced, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 cup black olives sliced thin, and a dash of cumin.

Use Chicken Breats, bone-in, or boneless, doesnt matter.

Mix the marinade ingredients in a tupperware container. Shake well. Let stand 1 hour. Grill Chicken Breasts (1 per person?) skin side up for 10 minutes, turn over and grill another 5 minutes. Stcik BBQ'd chick in an Iron Pan, and cover with marinade. Cover with foil and cook on direct heat 40 minutes. Serve with Rice a Roni, and Anchor Steam Beer.

WEEK 2 (&10): VIKINGS at LIONS

The Detroit Lions are known for two things: Losing...and playing on Thanksgiving. Since Detroit isnt the mecca of food, and Turkey Day is 2 months away, I figured a nice smoked turkey would be a great week 2 meal.

SMOKED TURKEY

1 10 lb. Turkey

Hickory and Fruit wood

3 tblsp. Brown Sugar

2 tblsp. Seasoning Salt

2 tbslp. Paprika

2 tblsp. Garlic Salt

1 tblsp. Black Pepper

2 tblsp. Onion Salt

Apply dry rub to turkey, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

In the AM, satrt the smoker, 50% each wood, and add 2 cups white wine and a dash of oil to the water pan for the drippings, which will be the gravy.

Smoke 1 hour per pound.

Skol Vikings! Lets go smoke their asses today!