Tailgate Food Ideas

[Beach Runner]

For the past two years, GT's Thursday night game has been near Halloween. So I make my gourmet Paul Prudhomme's chili and my homemade salsa, buy chips and adult beverages, and decorate the tent with battery-operated Halloween lights.

But that menu is too "cold weather" for September. What can I do? I have a reputation to uphold, so I can't do anything cheesy. I mean, I'd rather do nothing than something ordinary. But I don't have time to do a lot of cooking for various reasons.

Or should I do the classic Midwest tailgate (my husband was born and raised in Madison, WI), like bratwurst and chips? I'd rather not do that, but it's definitely easy.

Any ideas for something with high style and low effort for a group of unknown size (you know how you can never anticipate how many people will show up at a tailgate)?

[Mango]

I had this at a party once, it was quite tasty, but I like spicy. My friend e-mailed me the recipe.

Barbeque Bean Salad

1 pound dry pinto beans
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups tortilla chips, coarsely crushed, divided

Dressing:
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and discard liquid.

Add water to cover beans by 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 to 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Rinse, drain and set aside.

For dressing, in a saucepan, combine the vinegar, oil, ketchup, brown sugar and mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Cool slightly.

In a large salad bowl, combine the beans, corn, peppers and onion.

Just before serving, stir in dressing and half of the chips.

Sprinkle with remaining chips.

Yield: 14-16 servings

[RiverOtter]

Bucket of KFC Original :biggrin:

[Cheering472]

Bucket of KFC Original :biggrin:

I :wub: you RO.

[kathydwells]

Bucket of KFC Original :biggrin:

I prefer the extra crispy!!!! :roll:

[Beach Runner]

I had this at a party once, it was quite tasty, but I like spicy. My friend e-mailed me the recipe.

Barbeque Bean Salad

Sounds good. I will definitely try that sometime.

I had an idea this AM - jambalaya, a salad (NOT BAG SPINACH), and brownies. We've done this at the steeplechase at Callaway Gardens, and it was a hit.

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Paul Prudhomme’s Poor Man's Jambalaya

4 small whole bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon filé powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
4 tablespoons margarine
6 ounces tasso (preferred) or other smoked ham (preferably Cure 81), diced
6 ounces andouille smoked sausage (preferred) or Polish kielbasa (if you're in a small town in GA and can't find andouille), diced
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped green bell peppers
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups uncooked rice (preferably converted)
4 cups basic beef, pork or chicken stock

Combine first 9 ingredients and set aside. In a large heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) melt the margarine over high heat. Add the tasso and andouille; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic, and seasoning mix. Stir well and continue cooking until browned, about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the pan bottom well. Stir in the rice and cook 5 minutes, stirring and scraping pan bottom occasionally. Add the stock, stirring well. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until rice is tender but still a bit crunchy, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally toward the end of cooking time. Serves 8.

[kathydwells]

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That recipe up there sounds yummy BR!!! I will have to try this!!!!!

[jessifunn]

i like cheezy poofs. they are by far the best tailgate food out there. all you do is go buy them at the gas station.

[Miss Kitty]

i like cheezy poofs. they are by far the best tailgate food out there. all you do is go buy them at the gas station.

Fritos and Bean Dip in a can.

[kathydwells]

i like cheezy poofs. they are by far the best tailgate food out there. all you do is go buy them at the gas station.

When are you leaving for the big A?

[jessifunn]

Fritos and Bean Dip in a can.

that is good too.

[jessifunn]

When are you leaving for the big A?
in a little bit. as soon as the big boss man leaves!!

[Miss Kitty]

Have funn miss j. Ya'll be careful.

[kathydwells]

in a little bit. as soon as the big boss man leaves!!

Have funn....even though I think you would have a much funner time in Tuscaloosa. Don't tell kimmi I said that though, I think she is already po'd at me for my insenstive geaux tigers comment!! Drive SAFE!!