Football Food & Fun - Let's Tailgate!

We are in the heart of football season and what a great time for fun with food and friends!

As in football, a winning tailgate celebration requires a game plan. Make what you can ahead of time, team up with your friends and divvy up the menu for all the players to participate in on the action. Think like a pro and stick to your game plan.

During a recent game day visit to the market, I stood in the checkout line behind a young woman purchasing frozen meatballs, grape jelly, cocktail sauce and ketchup…. My immediate thoughts took me back to 60’s and what every modern day mom served up for their cocktail parties. The dreaded “cocktail meatballs”! Witnessing this soon to be culinary flag throwing foul, inspired me to think outside the goal line and create a few touchdown treats fit for fans young and old.

It’s that perfect time of the year. The cool weather has finally arrived and the abundance of fabulous fall foods makes cooking up fun food for football quick, simple and delicious.
Whether you are hosting a game day group or gathering at the stadium for pre-game tailgating take a bite out of a few of these sure to be winning menu ideas.

Sideline Snacks
Sausage Apple Bites – combine biscuit mix, spicy andouille sausage, onions, celery, sharp cheddar cheese and garlic powder, roll them into bite size balls and bake to golden brown
Bread Bowl Beer Cheddar Dip – hollow out a round loaf of Pumpernickel and mix up a bottle of beer with crispy bacon, green onions, shredded sharp white cheddar, Dijon mustard, cream cheese and a touch of cayenne pepper – cut up the reserved bread for dipping
Cranberry Nut Snack Mix – a great mix of sunflower seeds, chopped pistachios, toasted pumpkin seeds and sweet dried cranberries
Sweet Potato Pecan Puffs – whipped sweet potatoes with chopped pecans, minced garlic, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice, baked in mini muffin pan for perfect mouth popping puffs

End Zone Eats
Beer Brats – boil the brats in beer, butter and sweet onions then grill them until golden – serve on potato buns with sauerkraut, spicy mustard and grilled peppers
Sloppy Joe’s - sautéed ground beef with onions and Sloppy Joe sauce served on toasted buttered brioche buns
Grilled Chicken Wings – toss the wings in kosher salt, cracked pepper and garlic salt; grill to perfection and serve with sweet and spicy bbq sauce for dipping
Garlic Ginger Pork Spareribs – season the ribs with a blend of Hoisin sauce, Soy sauce, grated ginger, crushed garlic, onion powder and a dash of hot sauce – grill to perfection for finger licking goodness






Super Sides
Blue Cheese Bacon Potato Salad – skin on red potatoes with crumbled blue cheese, crispy chopped pepper bacon, mayonnaise, a hint of Dijon, salt and pepper to taste and chopped chives
Brown Sugar Acorn Squash Casserole - baked acorn squash whipped with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon topped with nutmeg seasoned streusel
Cheddar Garlic Scallion Biscuits – biscuit mix blended with chopped scallions, garlic salt and shredded sharp cheddar cheese baked to golden brown perfection

Touchdown Treats
Chocolate Chunk Brownies – whip up a batch of moist brownies with coarsely chopped semi sweet chocolate chunks
Smore’s – keep the coals on the grill hot, toast some marshmallows and sandwich them between cinnamon sugar graham crackers and milk chocolate bars
Chocolate dipped Rice Crispy Treats – create a simple batch of Rice Crispy treats and dip them halfway into a rich chocolate ganache


Keep that winning spirit. Rise Up to the challenge and you are on your way to victory!

For complete recipes email yellowbandchef@gmail.com

Enjoy the football, food and fun and always remember Peace, Love, Food.