Catching Up - Weeks 7-9

I've got no excuse, so let's just get through this.

Week 7: Eagles @ Panthers = North Carolina BBQ Cheesesteak

I was hesitant to make this meal because I'm pretty sure I make cheesesteak every single time Philadelphia plays on Sunday night. I also use the same recipe from Bobby Flay every single time - not because it's particularly good, just because it's the first one that shows up when you google it. But as my friend Tony pointed out, "Who gives a fuck? That sounds delicious."*

Tony was very, very right. This meal was AWESOME! 

Carolina barbecue may be my favorite because it's very vinegar,  at least the Eastern-style ones are. That might be the most interesting part of this recipe. Apparently, Carolinians (?) are  divided between Eastern-style and Lexington-styled barbecue. I think the Lexington kind has tomatoes? 

Anyway, if I remember correctly, I used this slow cooker recipe from Taste of Home, in part because the one of the reviewers who loved it says she's from NC "where swine is divine." Who can argue with that?

One last thing - Rob wanted to take part, so he made a crab cake appetizer with some vinegary cucumbers. He says North Carolina has crabs (Anyone else find that funny or am I the only one who has the sense of humor of a 12-year old boy?)so it totally counts. I totally disagree. However, the crab cakes were even better than the sammies.

Week 8: Green Bay @ Denver = Bison Burgers w/ Cabernet Onions and Wisconsin Cheese

I'm still angry about this one. Packers lose on my birthday? How rude! The meal, however, was FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!** 

The recipe came from Epicurious, so really, that shouldn't be a surprise. I guess the surprise is how easy it was. I used to use Epicurious recipes all the time, but they tend to require either 20+ steps or pain-in-the-ass ingredients. Thanks, but I have football to watch.

Here are the mistakes changes I made:

• Despite looking for and finding Wisconsin cheddar, I came hope with smoked mozzarella. I have no idea why.  
• The onions got maybe a third of the cook time the recipe calls for. You know how people say, "If you can read, you can cook"? This is not true for me.
• I totally forgot to think about sides. Luckily, I had some carrots, and since I love this recipe on from The Spice House, I figured I would make it. Here's how it turned out...

Oh, well.

Week 9: Eagles @ Cowboys = Tex-Mex Stromboli

Seriously? The Eagles again??? Thank God Lori Farkas Gillespie suggested stromboli. 

So smart, right? But here's the thing - I had just come back from Detroit. I had no groceries, and I was really tired. The result? I used this lazy recipe from Pillsbury but swapped fajita fixings for the Italian stuff. Whatever - it wasn't like I was going to make my own dough anyway. That's just insane. 

Also,  I didn't have time to marinate the steak (flank, I think) so I basted it with butter while grilling. This is also insane, but in a good way. 

I almost forgot - in Detroit I bought Jar Head Salsa, so I didn't even really make fajitas. Still, I'm calling this one very good, mostly because it was so easy. Definitely a recipe I would make again - only I would put a bit more effort into it. 

*I may have added the "fuck."

**Surprisingly, that's only one step above AWESOME!