Good Morning Packer Fans!

Ok…good morning to ALL fans!  Today is a big day for fans of the NFL.  We finally have our Refs back.  I’ve been on “Game watching strike” since last Monday night, when the now infamous game-winning call for the Seahawks shocked the world.  Even though I awoke from sleep just in time to catch the end of the game (yes, I threw in the towel after a miserable first half), I was sickened by the call.  I think “Some Ecards” said it best, “New NFL Rule.  You can catch the ball by catching the guy who caught the ball.”   Seriously.  What else needs to be said? 

The Replacement Refs and their poor play calling made for an interesting week.  For those of you who aren’t much for football, no doubt were you annoyed by those of us who love the game.  For those of you who are wrapped up in “Election Season”, these poor calls was used to take jabs at Democrats or Republicans…which ever way it worked out best for you.  And for those of us who were all fired up by the calls (and Packer loss), we found ourselves debating the calls over and over and over again….sometimes preaching to the choir and other times, jumping into a nearby conversation to argue with a stranger.  Yes.  Yes, I did that.  I’m sorry.  I just couldn’t resist.  There I was, minding my own business (ok fine, so I was eavesdropping), working on my computer at the hospital.  As I was typing away, I overheard a gentleman near by explaining to a group of ppl just exactly why he thought the call was fair.  He went on and on about who had control of the ball and who didn’t.  Who had possession and who didn’t.  Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.  So, I got up…said, “Excuse me, Sir.  Jennings HAD.THE.BALL. AGAINST.HIS.CHEST.” (And I demonstrated it for him just in case he forgot.)  I know, right?!  I’m sure he got a good laugh out of it.  At least it made me feel better.  🙂

All of that said, the Refs are back and the games are about to begin!  Fortunately for me, I can watch the game.  The question now becomes, what to EAT during the game?!  If you are like many fans, you probably have a game day menu thought out early in the week but every once in a while, Sunday sneaks up on you and there is nothing planned.  And when THAT happens, we make our “Go To Game Day Nachos!”  We usually have most ingredients on hand and they whip up in no time!  Because you can make a huge platter to share, or a small personal serving, I will list the ingredients, and you can decide the proportions. 

Game Day Nachos!

Servings Vary

• Tortilla Chips (I prefer restaurant style as they are large and easy to stack)
• Co-Jack Cheese, freshly grated
• Red Onion, diced
• Green Pepper, diced
• Jalapeno, diced
• Tomato, diced (I like to use grape tomatoes, quartered)
• Ground Beef (90%)
• Taco Seasoning
• Sour Cream
• Salsa

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Start by browning the hamburger with the taco seasoning (as directed on the seasoning pkt).  When browned, remove from heat and drain excess oil.

While the meat is browning, line a cookie sheet with tin foil and layer your tortilla chips.  Layer chips with beef, onion, green pepper, jalapeno, and cheese.  Bake for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.  Remove from oven and top with tomato.

Serve with a side of sour cream and some salsa.  Enjoy with a chilled glass of your favorite brew!  And, Indulge!

GO PACK GO!

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.

Do you ever have one of those days when you just want to run away?  While today is not one of them (for me anyway), there are certainly some when I’d like to get outta dodge!  And usually, when these days hit, I am wishing I could escape to the North Shore.  For those of you who have been reading my blog for years, you know I’ve spoken about it before.  Grand Superior Lodge…in Two Harbors, MN…on the North Shore of Lake Superior…is one of my most favorite places on earth.

It all started at work one afternoon in 2001(ish).   As I tossed around the idea of “running away” with Ryan for the weekend, my friend and co-worker at the time, Delaney, suggested that we try GSL.  Because I listen to nearly all of her recommendations (LOL), I was sold.  It’s incredible to me that since our first visit all those years ago, we’ve visited close to 10 times…and in fact, were married on the North Shore and held our reception at GSL.  Who would’ve guessed that one little visit would result in so many more!?  🙂

There is something so tranquil about the water, the trees, and the “slow life”.  There is no “hussle n bussle”…there is no noise…other than the waves crashing in on shore.  The evenings are cool…perfect for a cozy sweatshirt and a campfire while the days are comfortable…for hiking Gooseberry Falls, playing scrabble on the rocky shore line, or sight-seeing at Split Rock Lighthouse and all the stops along the way.  If you’ve never been…add it to your bucket list.  You won’t be disappointed.

Over Labor Day Weekend, we made our first visit to GSL since 2010.  It felt like forever!  In 2010, we’d visited in May (and ran Grandma’s Half Marathon) and then again that August to celebrate our 5yr wedding anniversary.  2011 was a blur with Bella’s arrival…so we were sure to get there this year to celebrate 7 yrs.  Also amazing, as I walked into the lobby of the Main Lodge, one of the gals (who was been there forever) said, “You were one of our brides!”  Well yes.  Yes, in fact I was.  Actually…it may not be a good thing that she remembered me!  Those of you involved in the wedding know why. 😉  Anyway, during the course of our stay this year, there were 2 weddings.  I couldn’t help but wonder where the time had gone since we exchanged our nuptuals.  I feel fortunate to have been able to revisit so many times since.  Speaking of visits (Ryan), when are we going back?! 

In true “Robin-Ryan” fashion, we cooked nearly every meal in the tiny kitchen of our little log cabin.  From homemade pizza to a new pasta, to good ol’ Walleye Sandwiches, we ate well!   Today…I thought I’d share the Walleye Sandwich recipe…because if you ask me, you CANNOT go “Up North” and NOT have walleye…or at least fish of some kind.  This sandwich is super easy to make…and absolutely delicious.  Whether you are planning your “Friday Fish” (Wisconsin style) or just looking to try something other than chicken or turkey or pork, you should give this a whirl. 

NORTH SHORE WALLEYE SANDWICH

(adapted from recipe in Midwest Living)

Serves: 4-6

• 24 -36 ounces fresh or frozen skinless, boneless walleye
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dillweed
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
• 4 large lemons, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• Crusty rolls, split
• Romaine
• Tomato slices
• Tartar Sauce  (buy your favorite tartar or whip up your own!

1. Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of fish with salt and black pepper.
2. In a small bowl, combine lemon peel, lemon juice, oil, dill, garlic and hot pepper sauce.
3. For a charcoal grill: Arrange a bed of lemon slices on greased grill rack directly over medium coals. Arrange fish on lemon slices. Brush with the lemon-oil mixture. Cover and grill for 10 to 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork (do not turn fish). (For a gas grill: Preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Arrange lemon slices and fish on greased grill rack over heat (line grill rack with foil if grids are too wide). Brush with marinade. Cover and grill as above.) Place bread or buns, cut side down, next to fish the last 2 minutes of grilling or until toasted, turning bread slices once.
4. To serve, build your sandwich!  Start by brushing the top and bottom of the rolls/buns with a thin layer of tarter. Lay romaine down first.  Then, using a large spatula, transfer fish pieces to roll/bun bottoms and top with tomato slices. Drizzle with Tartar Sauce and cover with remaining roll/bun tops. Discard lemon slices. Makes 4-6 sandwiches.

Serve with a cold beer and your favorite side.  For a lighter treat, remove the top bun and cut into smaller servings.  Serve open-faced.  Either way, you will love the flavors of a light flakey fish…dill…lemon…and tarter!

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.