football and beer (sort of)

After playing three straight games of flag football last night, Ben and I are fairly sore. Our team of 2^nd year medical school students + Ben made it to the playoffs… which meant we had to continue playing until we lost. Thankfully, we finally got to go home when a fresh young group of Baylor College of Medicine first years out-ran and out-threw us (for two reasons: 1) they are only first years so their brains are lighter, and 2) because we were all delusional from lack of sugar or water for 4 hours…I mean really, we were pretty punch drunk at this point). On a positive note, I am taking Ben’s ability to play such an aggressive sport as flag football (real intense) as yet another sign of his health. In fact, next time he brings up a random illness he might have (tumor, diabetes, lymphoma), I will make sure to remind him of the three or so touchdowns he made last night after sprinting down a field in 50 degree weather.

Still on my mission to fatten him up though…

LAURA'S AMAZING JALAPENO BEER BREAD

cheers

yes, that much butter...and yes, it will most likely overflow

winner

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/4 cups sugar

1/4 cups pickled jalapenos, chopped

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

12 oz., fluid beer (one can)*

1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Measure and then sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl. The sifting will improve the texture of the bread (so do it!). Add the chopped jalapenos and cheddar cheese. Pour one can of beer into the mixing bowl and mix until blended (I used Shiner because Mrs. Laura is from Shiner, TX where the brewery stands). Pour mixture into a greased loaf pan. Pour melted butter over mixture. This will seem like too much butter, but do not remove any of it! Bake one hour or until golden brown. You might want to put a pan under the loaf in case it over bakes the pan (and mine did…thank goodness for that pan). Cool for 5-10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool an additional 5-10 minutes. Slice and enjoy.