From the category archives:
“Walk through an intown neighborhood this Saturday. There will be a hint of fall under the heat, and the sound of a television blaring out the sound of football, and the smell of someone cooking meat on a grill. If I could cut this smell up into lines and snort it, I would. As a drug it would have no rival, and as an aphrodesiac would have no equal.” – Spencer Hall
{ 0 comments }
fried gator
Cherokee Distributing has a post with some standard tailgating tips. But most importantly they supplied a sample tailgating menu based on their opponent’s local fare and/or mascots. This is a good example of how you can diversify your offerings beyond fried chicken, burgers, etc.
You can also pick food styles and beverages that fit your tailgate whether they celebrate the home team or represent your opponent. That way you can try new things and enjoy some variety throughout the season. Here are some festive menu ideas for the first five big games the Vols will face this season:
- Sept. 11 – vs. Oregon – in Knoxville – When the Ducks come to town, face the challenge head on by preparing grilled duck breast. To top it off, serve with Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale.
- Sept. 18 – vs. Florida – in Knoxville – There’s only one thing to serve when playing the University of Florida, and that’s fried Gator tail. In celebration of the Orange and Blue crew coming to town, sip on a Blue Moon garnished with an orange slice.
- Oct. 2 – vs. LSU – in Baton Rouge, La. – Whether you travel down to Louisiana or enjoy the game from home, the LSU showdown calls for a celebration of Cajun food. Prepare some spicy jambalaya – a yummy, hearty tailgating dish – and serve it with Abita Purple Haze, brewed in Abita Springs, just north of New Orleans.
- Oct. 9 – vs. Georgia – in Athens, Ga. – When the Vols play the Bulldogs, it’s a classic rivalry that calls for a classic tailgating staple: hotdogs. But, why not mix it up and serve “Sloppy Dawgs” – in honor of how you may hope the opposing team will play! And with new UT Head Coach Derek Dooley returning to his hometown to coach against his law school alma mater – and where his dad Vince Dooley was legendary football coach for 25 years – pick up the Shiner Family Reunion variety pack for the occasion.
- Oct. 23 – vs. Alabama – in Knoxville – When the Crimson Tide rolls in to Tennessee, it’s time to break out the barbeque. If you want to sample authentic Tide fare, order some Dreamland Bar-b-que sauce from the Tide’s hometown of Tuscaloosa. But, if you want to stay loyal to Big Orange Country, try the delicious sauces from local restaurants Calhoun’s, Sweet P’s BBQ and Soul House, Buddy’s bar-b-q or Dead End BBQ. Enjoy the southern staple with Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, a fun twist on the South’s favorite drink.
(photo by jasonlam)
{ 1 comment }
Staying on the topic of our 10 Time Tested Tailgating Tips, Kegs ‘n Eggs has a list of Tailgating DO’s and DON’Ts. A sample:
DO: Bring a football. If you didn’t know that, “DO” punch yourself in the groin.
DON’T: Making food “the” priority versus a good stomach base is a classic mistake. 1) Don’t buy some vintage/expensive meat that you make at family gatherings. And 2) Eating too much can take out a good chunk of the day due to heartburn.
DO: Dress Code Ethics: I am open when it comes to apparel. Old school helmets, obscene outfits, etc – but make sure you’re built to sustain the weather. Too much clothing can be deadly early on in the football season so be wary.
DON’T: Please God don’t go shirtless. We get it, you have a 6-pack. Now, kindly go fail miserably hitting on freshmen talent and fade away into the tailgating oblivion. There’s no room for this kind of DON’T.
DO: Know your fight songs, people. Holding up one arm and mumbling might seem like your fitting in, but I’ll target you from a mile away.
DON’T: Puking isn’t a topic people like, but we’re not afraid. There’s nothing wrong with sneaking off somewhere and taking care of business if you have to. If you do take this route, DON’T act like you’re God afterwards and don’t go into lame mode.
DO: On that note, gum is a always a good idea.
(HT: tailgatingideas.com)
{ 1 comment }
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out Chad Gibbs’ look at the last decade of the SEC: According to Facebook. It’s pretty damn funny and nostalgic. Chad also has a new book out called God and Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the Southeastern Conference
{ 0 comments }
I recently stumbled across the superbly named Cooking for Assholes blog. Their version of a Jersey Breakfast Dog is a perfect early morning tailgating food. A traditional Jersey Dog features a deep fried bacon wrapped hot dog with an egg on top. To make it easier for tailgating, we’ll pan fry the hot dog and bacon. Just throw two pans on the grill and you can cook these to order all morning.
Ingredients:
Hot Dog
Hot Dog Bun
Egg
Mayonnaise
Hot Sauce
Provolone
Bacon
Vegetable Oil
Ground Pepper
Directions
Cut a piece of bacon in half and wrap it around the hot dog. Heat a pan to medium heat with just a little oil. Turn the dog every minute or so until both the dog and bacon are thoroughly cooked. At the same time use a second heated and oiled pan to fry an egg. It’s actually better to spread the yolk out a little more than usual, so that you have a flatter product. Drop a slice of provolone, some pepper, and a couple drops of hot sauce on the egg after you’ve flipped it and it’s almost done. Then fold the egg over on itself so it’s narrow enough to fit on a hot dog bun. Lightly toast a bun, add mayo to the sides, then throw the dog and egg in. Have a Bloody Mary or Mimosa and look forward to a full day of football.
{ 0 comments }
