Entertaining Ideas

Fan Fare: Sports Widow Tailgate Party Recipes and Tips

September 9, 2007 10:27 AM | 4 Comments

Go out for the pass or step up to the plate for some sports-inspired recipes and entertaining ideas.

Occasionally my father would take me and my two older brothers to his alma mater for football games in Madison, Wisconsin. Inevitably, he would try to buy tickets from scalpers to the University of Wisconsin Badger games, and we would all get split up. I would be sentenced to endure the game solo with a loud-mouthed, John Candyesque Midwesterner seated beside me, making arm-chair calls, shouting obscenities, and splashing beer on me throughout the game.

My only consolation was the pre-game tailgate party. This cherished rite combines four American institutions into one: sports, automobiles, picnics and alcohol. And, in the Midwest, you can add a fifth ingredient: sausages. Bratwurst. Knockwurst. Bockwurst. Amherst. You name it.

When it comes to a tailgate party, I simply have to channel my Wisconsin cheesehead roots. While I wasn't a Greenbay Packer's fan, I do know the essentials of a truly good tailgate party, and the menu has to include the proper equipment (which years ago was a hibachi and now is probably closer to a George Foreman Grill), Usingers Brats (the all-time best sausages are Usingers), Wisconsin cheese products and maybe a cherry pie with cherries from Door County, Wisconsin. And, yes, leave your concerns about cholesterol at home.

Here are some ideas for a quick and easy tailgate party. You can team up with friends and make it a potluck meal or handle it by yourself. Keep in mind that you want foods that can be eaten with your bare hands or with as few utensils as possible. This makes clean-up quick and easy.

These recipes include a variety of foods suitable for a picnic in the stadium parking lot or any picnic location, including your family room. If you decide to include beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages, be sure to have a designated driver and make sure it's permitted in the stadium parking lot.

If you're planning a Tailgate Party, the most important thing to do is prepare in advance. Get as much done ahead of time so you can enjoy the party. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Tailgate Party Preparation Tips
• Do all your chopping and slicing in advance. Store chopped veggies in plastic bags, ready for your platter.
• Crockpots are great for keeping foods warm. Borrow extras from your friends. You can use them for cheese dip, meatballs, or sausage links.
• Warm up hot drinks just before leaving and bring along in an insulated jug.
• Prepare most foods ahead of time and have them wrapped, packed and ready to eat.
• Stick to finger foods if possible, and make sure they are in manageable portions.
• Bring heavy-duty paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, toothpicks and sturdy, disposable cups for drinks.
• Bring along a tablecloth or picnic blanket, serving platters and a bag for your trash.
• And, don’t forget the Coleman Cooler full of ice and soft drinks.

Here are some of our family's favorite Tailgate Party Recipes:

Reuben Brats & Beer
Ingredients:
•2 packages (10) Johnsonville or Usinger's Bratworst
•10 Slices Swiss Cheese
•2 Large Onions chopped
•1 jar of Claussens Sauerkraut
•2 Tsp. Butter
•10 Dark Rye Hoagie Rolls
•10 Claussens Kosher Dill Pickels (Optional)
•Celery Seeds or Caraway Seeds (Optional)
Reuben Sauce (Combine these)
•1/2 Cup Kraft Thousand Island Dressing
•1/2 Cup Coarse Ground Mustard
Preparation:
Place the brats in a large pot. Add the onions, beer, and enough water to cover the brats. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes. Be sure not to let the liquid boil (the brats might burst). Using tongs, remove the brats from the liquid. Oil the grill grate.
Place the brats on the grate and cook, turning every few minutes, for 10 to 15 minutes or until nicely browned and sizzling. Place the brats in the rolls and serve immediately with mustard. Keep warm. Sauté sliced onions in a pan with 1 teaspoon butter until they caramelize. Keep warm. Heat sauerkraut in a pan until bubbly.
Mix Kraft Thousand Island dressing and Mustard together to make Reuben Sauce.

Place two spoons of Reuben Sauce on an open-face hoagie roll and add a slice of Swiss cheese, warm onions, and a brat. Top with sauerkraut and serve warm. Add pickle spears and celery seeds (or caraway seeds).

Erica's Grilled Tailgate Guacamole
Ingredients:
•4 ripe, large Hass Avocados, peeled and pitted
•1 Large Shallot
•1 grilled corn-on-the-cob
•1 Cup cherry tomatoes sliced
•A hand-full of cilantro (chopped)
•Add Tabasco to taste (optional)
•Salt and pepper to taste
•2 Tbsps fresh lime juice
Preparation:
•Slice Avacado so there is a total of 16 slices and grill slices. Once grill marks are visable carefully remove from the grill and cut into cubes
•Stir in lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper
•Add 1 shallot, finely chopped; add carmelized corn kernals; chopped cilantro and 1 cup sliced cherry tomotoes
•Gently mix ingredients
•Guacamole is best made as close to serving as possible.
•For short-term storage, seal in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the guacamole.
•To serve, place guacamole in center of serving tray and arrange with cut vegtables on platter to surround the guacamole.
•Serve with Doritos or Tostidos chips.

The American Tailgaters Association is a national organization of tailgaters, tailgating clubs, and tailgating businesses dedicated to growing the popularity of tailgating and making the parking lot more fun for you. From tailgating news and product reviews to parking lot events and great discounts on tailgating gear, it’s a great resource for all things tailgating.

Also, you might want to check out these books: The Tailgating Cookbook: Recipes for the Big Game and ESPN GAMEDAY GOURMET: MORE THAN 80 ALL-AMERICAN TAILGATE RECIPES

Please share your original Tailgate Party Recipes and I'll post them for other Sports Widows to try.