Football players and steak. They just go together.

And the Rose Bowl competitors get to participate in an additional Bowl game every year that combines those two — the Beef Bowl. It’s sharing some amazing prime rib with teammates and getting ready for a highly competitive, important game. It’s camraderie and good food.

It’s really, really cool.

Here’s how the LA Times describes it:

For the last five decades, the participating teams have taken part in the ‘Beef Bowl’ at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. The restaurant says it’s fed more than 75,000 pounds of beef to about 19,000 players and coaches.

I’ve decided that since I do not – nor will I ever – qualify to participate in the Beef Bowl, I will just have to replicate it for myself at home.

In fact, to celebrate the new year tonight, we’re going to cook up some steaks, rub elbows with friends and just talk. Sounds just like the Beef Bowl to me.

You can read all about the 2010 Beef Bowl here.

And Happy New Year, everybody! May 2011 be filled with good food and great experiences!

Photo courtesy of Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times.

The Christmas meal has come and gone. But you still have turkey, ham, prime rib and various and sundry sides in your fridge.

How long can we keep nibbling on them?

As you can imagine, there are many schools of thought on this. But I like Madam Trainer’s explanation here.  She makes some good arguments and I, personally, like to err on the side of caution with this one.

Check out her sage advice here and let me know what YOU think!

Here’s a tasty tip for your Christmas dinner beverage (if it includes a wonderful roast beef or prime rib).

Serve this wine and your guests will think you divine!

Have a very, very merry Christmas, everyone!