The 49ers head into New Orleans with a 2-1 record, after beating both Detroit and Seattle in the last two weeks. While our boys may be a bit banged up and bruised emotionally, they will be hungry come Sunday at the Superdome and the 49ers could be that tasty little San Francisco treat that the Saints feast on to quench their appetite.

We will face former Saint, J.T. O’Sullivan who had a pretty decent game last week although he missed a couple of receivers during crucial times in their victory against Detroit. Also in tow, former Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce, who wreaked havoc on the Saints back in the days of the old Rams-Saints NFC West rivalry.

So for this week’s menu, I, Mother Hen, have decided to go Italian as I would love to get a little Mafioso on folks (ahem, Coach Payton) who don’t put into the game certain running backs who attended the University of Mississippi and have been a mainstay for this Saints team for a number of years. So, tuck your napkin in your pants and dig into this little dish with a tasty Chick Sip to wash it all down: Grab the 49ers by the Meatballs and Spiked Isaac Bruce Juice.

Ingredients for the gravy:
1 pound of either beef or pork stew meat
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 15-ounce can of whole tomatoes
3 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce

Sauté onion with a little salt and pepper for a few minutes. Add garlic and stir (don’t let it brown). Add meat, salt, pepper and brown (about 10 to 15 minutes). Break up whole tomatoes and add to the concoction. Add salt and pepper and cook it down for about 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomato sauce and 24 ounces of water. Add salt and pepper. Cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or desired consistency.

Ingredients for the 49er-balls:
1 pound of ground meat
5-7 pieces of white break with the crusts cut off
2 cups of milk
1 egg
½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper

Set the bread in milk for about 20 minutes. Wring bread out and crumble into the meat. Add egg, salt, and pepper and mix together with your hands. Prepare in little, 49er-balls and bake at 350 degrees for twenty minutes. Once finished, add to the gravy until the gravy is done.

Spiked Isaac Bruce Juice:

2 1/2 cups pineapple juice

1 shot dark rum

1 tsp brown sugar

Ice

Pour the rum over ice. Add in dark rum and shake mixture. Top with brown sugar. Raise your glass every time Deuce touches the ball. If all goes well, you’ll be drunk as a skunk come halftime.