4 Hard Downs: Fishing, Frying Fish and Running Backs?!
Took my kid fishing, fried some fish, tried out new smash burgers and light draft talk because I am exhausted
I took my kid fishing.
Yes.
I took my kid fishing on Saturday morning.
It was her first time and she loved it. It was cut short because we were between incoming geese and their nest. But we got about 45 minutes of not catching anything and her learning how to cast. And to be fair, she has been practicing casting in the backyard but with a real hook and trees around it is a little different than trying to hit the bucket from the patio.
Very fun. Full disclosure, I love fishing. I’m not as good as someone like my guy Paul Roberts, but I do enjoy just the casual and relaxed atmosphere of throwing a line out and nothing happening for awhile and then I decide to go home.
Back when I was living in North Charlotte, to break up my work day and find some stress relief, I used to go to Hornet’s Nest Park and throw a line out at lunch to get away. This was pre-pandemic, I just was tired of my manager asking me what I was doing, as I worked from home, and knew I would hit my deliverables better if they left me alone.
She loved it. She had a great time. We will do this more and the fun of this is we get to spend time together, but also it is an investigative and learning experience as we learn what gets bites and what we are even fishing for in this neighborhood.
So, I’m back in the fishing game, add this to the weekly moves and go ahead and do what we always do . . . SPOT THE BALL!!!!
1st Down: Fish Fry vs Frying Fish
I hit my family group text with, “I’m thinking about frying some fish up this Saturday.”
Now, in my head, that was an invitation to come together for a fish fry.
My little brother said, “you didn’t say fish fry, you said you were going to fry some fish; and you were thinking about it.”
Keep in mind, I cook dinner every night and I do not ever hit the group chat with “think we’re doing steaks tonight,” or “excited for these burgers,” when it is just a 3 person meal for me and my two ladies. I only hit the group chat when it is going to be more than just us.
So anyways, my dad came and we had fish.
Fried up some perch and potatoes and made some slaw and tartar sauce plus a little hot sauce and white bread.
That’s a fish fry.
Next time, I will explicitly say, “I AM HAVING A FISH FRY, I WANT YOU TO COME, DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH!!”
2nd Down: You Don’t Know Naan
Y’all remember that bop by Trick Daddy and Trina?
Yes, I know they say nann and not naan, but you get the point.
But seriously, if you’re not making naan on the reg you are missing out. The Indian “flat bread” is a super star right up there with pita and roti. Great for a quick midday sandwich, stands up to a full on pulled chicken or even a smash burger, which was my case.
Here’s how I make it:
1/2c warm water
2.25tsp yeast (normal, not rapid rise or bread machine)
1/2c yogurt
2.5c flour (how did I forget to put flour in the first time? Just APF)
3 tbs olive oil divided
1tsp sea salt
1tsp sugar
Combine yeast, salt, sugar, water, yogurt in your mixer. Drizzle 1 tbs of the olive oil. Then put it in a greased bowl and cover to rise for 90 minutes.
Divide into the sizes you want and let them rest for 15-25 minutes.
During that rest heat up a griddle or a grill or a cast iron skillet.
Drizzle a little oil so they don’t stick, then cook them until they blister and then flip, about 2-3 minutes a side and then brush them with the remaining 2 tbs of olive oil.
Done.
3rd Down: Smash Burger On Said Naan
Did these smash burgers on the grill with naan and here is how it started…
Fresh ground beef with the onions, Texas Pete, salt and pepper on the naan. Then the naan on the steel, on the grill. Add in my bacon and then we get this.
Don’t forget the cheese, please!
Flour, hoop cheddar from the farmer’s market, cumin and chile powder, heavy cream and we are in business with the topping.
This thing slapped.
4th Down: Running Back Is Going To Be The Most Intriguing Position In The Draft
I got to talk about the running back position today for Stadium. Going into the draft, no one expects the RB spot to go crazy. But Bijan Robinson is probably a Top 15 player who we are still figuring out if he goes in the first round. Devon Achane from Texas A&M is talented but he will have to wait until Day 2 to hear his name. Chase Brown, Sean Tucker, Evan Hull etc, mad talented.
Running back is such a conundrum.
We know they are good. We know teams need them.
We also know teams don’t draft them high.
Would you pass on Nolan Smith for Bijan? I wouldn’t. Would you skip over Jordan Addison for Kenny McIntosh or Mohamed Ibrahim?
Probably not.
However, pass on Chase Brown or Tank Bigsby for KJ Henry?
Probably, so.
RB is a wild position. These dudes are good. And I think Thursday Fun Play is going to be an montage of RBs in pass pro because they deliver.
Busy next few weeks, but busy is better than doing nothing, for me. I don’t relax well and I’m okay with that. Neither does my dad or did my grandpa. I’m a Felder, through and through. Busy body who finds work when there is none because idle hands make me feel wild.
Cheers!!