Tailgating 101: Food, Friends and Fun

Tailgating Fare

In Texas and across the nation, Tailgating at or nearby stadiums is a far cry from packing up the lawn chairs and ice chests full of hot dogs and chips. We're talking' about some serious Show & Eat that nearly rivals the games being played. And although sports is the main arena for this national pastime, NASCAR, music concerts and fundraising events have jumped in on the fun, too. So, let's go through the rule book, work up a game plan, and then cook up some great food that'll keep you off the sidelines. It's all about good food, friends and team spirit!

Today's team rivalries might be considered a little sappy compared to the arguments still centered on the actual commencement of this tradition. The long-term squabbles have to do with whether the first tailgating event occurred at a football game between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869, the Kentucky Derby in 1875, or (just possibly) the Battle of Bull Run in 1861 involving the first major skirmish between the north and south. Now don't laugh off that last line about the Civil War.

Regardless of the actual year or place of occurrence, by the 1950s tailgating expanded to include families packing up station wagons and heading out for the lakes and parks where they picnicked off the vehicle tailgates.

Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?

East Coast

Italian Sausage, Lasagne

Florida

Cuban Food

Louisiana

Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffeé

Midwest

Grilled Brats

New England

Chowder, Lobster

Seattle

Grilled Salmon

Texas

Beef Brisket, Chili

West Coast

Seafood, Pasta

It's like planning a picnic on steroids! So let's get started planning your tailgating party by first finding your team and the rules for the specific tailgating location. Do this about two or three weeks in advance. For example, if you're planning to attend a Texas State University home game, you should type "Texas State University" into your Internet browser and include "tailgate" or "tailgate rules". In the case of Texas State, their website notes game schedules, offers a reserved spot application, the designated tailgating location and rules that detail things like times to enter and leave, cooking and grilling guidelines, pets policy, cleanup and conduct.

Now that you have your location and rules, use the game plan checklist below and then gather your supplies almost the same as you would for a picnic on steroids!

Tailgating Game Plan

1. At least one week ahead of time, plan your menu and decide what will be cooked or prepared at home, and what will be cooked or prepared on site.
2. Make sure you have team clothing and decorations for your site.
3. If you're having guests or sharing your site, decide who brings what.
4. Two to three days before, gather all your ingredients and supplies listed below.
5. The day before, cook what foods you planned to and have all other food items ready to be packed in ice chests or containers the next morning.

Tailgating Supplies

• Coolers
• Portable burner or grilling equipment
• Small fire extinguisher
• Paper plates and cups
• Plastic utensils
• Disposable table cloth
• Trash Bags
• Cutting board
• Toothpicks
• Flashlight
• Moist towelettes
• First-aid kit
• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Can or bottle opener, corkscrew
• Umbrella or rain gear
• Blankets
• Radio or small TV for the game
• And even an extra set of clothes

Starting off the lineup will be Breakfast Tacos that include a variety of filling options to satisfy everyone on your team. Next is a real half-time favorite of sausage-and-cheese- or chili-and-cheese-stuffed jalapeños, and in the fourth quarter, we'll bring out a thick pot of my husband Larry's incredible Texas Chili, which is chili con carne, meaning with meat, not beans! That spicy bowl of red is not only great all by itself, but also doubles as an incredible topping for whatever your taste buds desire, like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, eggs, and one of my all-time favorites, Frito pie! Throw in your favorite drinks, fruit and veggie platters for snacking, and top it all off with a Dr Pepper Cake listed in the "Grandmas Recipes" section of Texascooking.com and you've got your game day planned out. So, GO TEAM, which for some of us is the Texas State Bobcats! (Here is some additional inspiration for ideas on tailgate food.)

Breakfast Tacos

• 8 eggs
• 8 flour tortillas, warmed

• 2 red-skin potatoes, boiled and diced
• 1 cup refried beans, creamed
• 8 slices cooked bacon
• 8 tablespoons red or green hot sauce
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup diced white or green onion
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups chili (recipe follows)

Texas Chili

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 3 pounds coarsely ground beef
• 1/2 large onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, shredded
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed in 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon medium-coarse ground black pepper
• 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 medium white onion, finely chopped, OR 1-1/2 cups green onion, chopped

Place the beef in a stew pot over low heat, adding salt, pepper, garlic, and onion. Cook until vegetables are soft, then raise heat to medium, adding tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, cayenne powder and 3 cups of water. Continue cooking for 15 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture to thicken chili mixture, and cook over low heat for 45 minutes.

Top with cheese and onions and serve with crackers, cornbread or tortillas. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Stuffed Jalapeños

• 20 jalapeños, topped, seeded and halved lengthwise
• 1 pound ground pork sausage OR 1-1/2 cups chili (recipe above)
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated

Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until evenly brown. Drain grease and cool. Crumble the cooled sausage into a bowl and set aside. (If you're using chili as the filling, you can skip this step.)

Spoon sausage or chili into each jalapeño half and top with shredded cheese. Stuffed jalapenos can be placed on top of foil over a grill and warmed until the cheese is melted. Makes 40 stuffed jalapeños.