How's this for bizarre? I spent the first hour of this week's game on a flight returning from Minneapolis, Minnesota! Luckily, I had inflight wifi and managed to listen to the away (WDVE) broadcast of the game while in the air (apologies to the dude sitting next to me for periodically clenching my fists and silently celebrating/lamenting). I have been staying within spitting distance from the Metrodome for the past 4 days on a business trip - and though the Steelers desperately needed a win this week, I restrained myself from actually spitting (after all, the Vikings were 0-3 too). At any rate, the Pittsburgh v. Minnesota game wasn't played in either city, but rather London, England, continuing a relatively new tradition of scheduling one NFL game per season at Wembley Stadium. Here are my abbreviated inflight highlights.
Game Bites
Pittsburgh "@" Minnesota (@ London)
This was a hard fought loss, and sometimes those hurt more than the landslides. Steelers D allowed inexcusable runaway TDs by Jennings and Peterson (including a 70 and a 60 yarder). It was incredible to hear the Wembley crowd deliver big, booming "HEEEEEAAAATH!" cheers each time he came up with yardage. Le'Veon Bell made his regular season debut and ran in his first TWO career TDs. Rookie WR Markus Wheaton made contributions to the offensive line and Jericho Cotchery came up with a big TD in the fourth quarter. Antonio Brown made a clutch catch inside the two minute warning as the Steelers were in striking distance from tying things up and forcing overtime, but ultimately, the Steelers can't get past the goal line. Same old story...
Final Score: 34-27, MIN
Steelers fans in London!
Sweet sendoff cake.
I chose this week's recipe with the transatlantic locale rather than a specific player mind, though after watching the game, "London Broil" takes on a different connotation. I can't take much credit for the actual recipe because I intercepted it from Martha Stewart - but stay tuned for part two of this week's post when I bring you a Black & Gold twist on a Boyd family recipe for desert!
For the potatoes
1 1/2 lbs small red skinned potatoes, quartered
1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped
1yellow bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the London Broil
1 1/2-2 lb top round London broil
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat broiler on high. Line broiler pan with foil.
Heat 1/4 cup oil in skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes and cook for about 20 minutes, turning frequently. Add peppers and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-10 minutes more, turning to keep from burning.
Rub top round with 1 tsp oil, then salt, pepper and paprika on all sides. Broil for about 15 minutes per side until meat thermometer reads 130 degrees. Let meat rest on cutting board for about 10 minutes. Slice and serve with potatoes.
