Friday, November 30, 2007

Happy Friday!

College Football Coaching Rumors


Les Miles to Michigan? (Duh!)

Steve Spurrier (back) to Duke? (Huh?!?)

Steve Spurrier to LSU? (Look out, SEC!)

Tommy Tuberville to LSU? Or is it Arkansas?

Mike Leach (above) to Arkansas?

UConn's Randy Edsall to Georgia Tech?

Terry Bowden to SMWho?

Thursday, November 29, 2007

"The Black KKK"


Read Jason Whitlock's scathing commentary on the Sean Taylor situation!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

One of the greats in NFL history?!?!?!?!?

Yup. That's what Mr. Reid said about quarterback Donovan McNabb yesterday.

And no, it wasn't Britt Reid who made the comment. It was his dad, Andy Reid.

To read more of Andy's delusional commentary, click here.

Oh, by the way -- if your team is foolish enough to covet McNabb, the asking price is ***three first round draft picks***. When you are done laughing, click here to read about it.


Monday, November 26, 2007

Was UL coach Walter McCarty drinking alcohol with UL players?

j
Louisville senior Juan Palacios

In A.J. We Trust...

After last night's 31-28 loss to the Patriots, Eagles' Fans are clamoring for backup quarterback A.J. Feeley to continue playing -- even if starter Donovan McNabb is healthy (ankle/thumb). An on-line poll at philly.com is asking fans which player should take the snaps next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Over 80 percent are siding with Feeley!


The take here? I am of the opinion that last night's strong showing was an "Eff U" from the team to McNabb. I think players are tired of his fragile psyche. They loathe how his parents fight his battles in the press and on the web. He has not been good for over a year and is a constant lightning rod for controversy.

What if Andy Reid puts McNabb back in this week and he lays an egg? Then the coach is really in a bind and he, most likely, will have lost his team for the season. If he sticks with Feeley and the Eagles lose Sunday, he can sell people on McNabb's return.

Feeley played well enough last night to inspire his team's confidence. He deserves to start on Sunday.
Quick Hitters

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Please don't hurt me!


Prediction: Patriots 56 Eagles 7


Friday, November 23, 2007

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Even the Pit Master needs a little help...

Mashed Potatoes -- made by Mrs. Pit Master.

Chocolate Chip Bars -- made by the Pit Master's 8-year old daughter.

Homemade mac & cheese -- made by the Pit Master's mom.


Rolls -- made by the Pit Master's mom.


Turkey -- carved by the Pit Master's dad.

The Finished Product...


Did the Pilgrims eat shrimp?


(And was the cocktail sauce served in ESPN Football bowls?!?)

Update: Sage butter, 500 degrees, waiting for 161!

One stick of butter, mixed with Sage, is applied under the skin of the turkey. Then the butter, along with some oil, is rubbed all over the outside of the bird.

The bird after 30 minutes in the oven at 500 degrees.


After 30 minutes, the turkey gets a foil jacket for the breast
and the oven gets reduced to 350 degrees.


After the 30 minute dose of high heat, the bird is at 87 degrees, moving its way toward the target temp of 161 (taking an estimated 2 1/2 hours).








How to bathe an 18 pound turkey...

One gallon of cold water mixed with one cup of Kosher Salt,
black peppercorns and three Bay Leaves.


The turkey (after being rinsed) gets dunked into the braise.





16 hours later, here it is:



The turkey is patted dry and ready to air-dry
in the refrigerator (to promote crispy skin) for one hour.




Happy Thanksgiving!

{{{Check back later today for turkey pictures.}}}

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Good Pork...Bad Pork

The Good: A simple prep of honey mustard, pepper and Kosher salt on a pork tenderloin. Put it on the grill for about 14 minutes and it was perfect.


The Bad: Tried a new recipe of pork medallions wrapped in bacon. I sliced a pork tenderloin into one inch pieces. Each one was then wrapped in bacon...UNTIL I realized I did not have any toothpicks to keep the bacon in place. I tried using butcher string, but quickly realized that was way too much trouble. So I simply skipped the bacon part. Using 2 tablespoons of oil, I heated the stainless steel pan and cooked the medallions three minutes on each side. The result? Not good, not good at all. I could have handled the fact that grease spattered all over the stove. But that, combined with the fact the pork was tough and dry, made it a major bummer. The tough and dry part could have been avoided by using the bacon, but of course I had no toothpicks.




Sunday, November 18, 2007

Reasons why OU lost to Texas Tech,34-27...

1. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables


2. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables


3. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables


4. Quarterback Sam Bradford suffered a concussion in the first quarter


5. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables


6. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables


7. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables


8. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables


9. Head coach Bob Stoops refuses to fire Brent Venables


10. Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Monday, November 12, 2007

(Not so) Dry Run on Thanksgiving Dinner

Sunday was the designated Thanksgiving Dinner Dry Run Day. I purchased a fresh 14 pound bird, to go with corn and mashed potatoes (using Russert Potatoes). I happened to be watching Alton Brown give turkey tips yesterday and was intrigued with his recipe.

I rinsed the bird and applied a liberal helping of thyme-butter (Alton used sage-butter.) under the skin all over the breast area. I put the bird in the oven (legs first) at a whopping 500 degrees for 30 minutes. After 35 minutes (I was watching football and let the timer ring for 5 minutes), this is what is looked like:


Next, I covered the breast (and a bit more) with a vegetable oil rubbed piece of foil, set the thermometer for 161 degrees and turned the oven down to 350 degrees:

The internal temp of 161 was attained after about two hours. Here it is:

I let the bird rest for 25 minutes (keeping on the foil). Here is the meal all plated and ready to go:


The verdict? Well, my 8-year old, who is not a huge turkey fan, loved it. In fact, she sat at the counter and nibbled from the platter while I carved it. (The carving is an entry for another day.) Indeed, the turkey was moist and flavorful. Was it me? No, of course not. Rather, it was Alton Brown's temperature game plan, as well as the thyme-butter which led to the moistness.

Happy Veterans' Day!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Like when Brody said to Quint, "We're gonna need a bigger boat."

We simmered sausages in beer a few weeks ago and then threw them on the Weber. The results were fantastic. This past Thursday, we tried the same technique with much larger sausages. And?!?

Same great taste -- just with Super Sized Portions.


Friday, November 9, 2007

Does the NCAA have Reggie Bush on tape admitting he took $$$ @ USC?!?

Reggie Bush and USC in deep (deep) trouble?!?

Happy Friday, Part 2!

For this guy, it's Happy Hour Friday! (Might be the funniest video ever. Make sure to have the sound on.)

Happy Friday!

Got a funny e-mail sent to me yesterday:


NEW TORNADO POLICY for Lincoln and Omaha, NE

In case of possible tornadoes sweeping through the state of Nebraska, we ask that all Nebraskans take shelter at the Memorial Stadium. We are certain that a touchdown will not occur there.


Thanks for your cooperation.

hj



Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Monday, November 5, 2007

New Coaches Needed...

My Philadelphia Eagles are horrible. Next season will bring a new coach (and a new QB). Time to start getting ready for the draft! NFL Mock Draft 2008.


Hoops Weiss: Time to get rid of Bill Callahan!

So does that mean...Barry Alvarez to Nebraska?!?

Sunday, November 4, 2007

The Fighting Manginos Love the Sunday Papers

The Patriots are Really Good...




Pilgrims and Indians, errrrrrrr, Native Americans...



We Like Steak. So Does Mangino...


Isiah Thomas is Scum...



We "Heart" Peter Vecsey...

"If Stephon Marbury indeed found Jesus this summer, for his next assignment he might want to locate his man on defense..." Classic. Totally classic.


Remeber the Hanging Chads?!?...

Al Gore -- Tech Phony?


A-Rod is Really Rich...

Did he buy a mafioso plane?



Andy Reid's Sons have Issues...

Duh! Why would you punish Andy Reid for his sons' behavior?!?


Remember This Guy?!?...

Rollie Massimino still coaching at age 76.


Finally -- the Main Course: College Football...



Gosh -- Nebraska needed the Mercy Rule in its 76-39 loss to Kansas.

The Fighting Manginos of Kansas.

Navy ends 43 game losing streak to Notre Dame!

Jay Mariotti: Charlie Weis hits Rockne Bottom!

Hoops Weiss on Boston College losing to Florida State.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Five Hits©

1. Does this mean he doesn't like Black Labs?

2. We like Mike Wilbon. Really, we do. But sometimes he says/writes Stupid Things.

3. Chris Fowler voted Boston College #6?!?

4. Do LSU fans wish they had Nick Saban back?

5. Do LSU fans hate Nick Saban?

Friday, November 2, 2007

This is funny...


Go ahead. Ask Coach Bill.