The football season has just begun, which means it’s time to cook up a football feast that’s sure to score big points with family and friends. Tailgating traditions and menus are just as important as any play made during the game for many football fans. Autumn kickoff’s the season for fans that really enjoy watching the game in person or on television, tailgating parties, get-togethers with family and friends and of course, good food that is easy to prepare and eat.
Tailgating parties happen under a tent, outside the stadium, in a friend’s backyard, behind a truck bed or in your living room, recreational room, basement or garage. Remember to keep a cooler handy or a small baby raft filled with ice to keep drinks cold as well as perishable foods such as meats or dishes created with dairy products so they keep their proper temperatures the entire time. Bring along a roll of plastic wrap to keep all food containers covered when not in use to prevent flies and other insects from contaminating your best football snacks and finger foods. A roll of paper towels, a jug of water and a bottle of hand sanitizer are also good to have on hand to clean hands and spills while parting.
Foods that can be consumed without the use of utensils or plates are the best ones to bring along to a tailgate party. Vegetable platters, cookies, brownies, mini cupcakes, skewers, sliders, hot dogs and hamburgers are all great choices for quick serving without all the added tableware to worry about. Toothpicks are good to have on hand to poke though finger foods such as breaded chicken wings, pigs in a blanket or sandwiches. Don’t forget a black permanent marking pen so everyone can write their names on their cup to go back for refills instead of using a new cup every time they needs more to drink or forget which cup belongs to them when more than one are placed on the same folding table, snack tray or tailgate.
Tips, tricks and suggestions:
- It is good to remember that the rivalry belongs on the game field and that everyone around the grill are friends and don’t have to compete for the best dishes; you’re all there to have a great time together.
- Always begin with a clean grill.
- Before firing up the grill rub the grates with a thin coat of oil on a paper towel.
- Once the fire is started it might be a great idea to add a few seasoned wood chips to add more flavor to the food about to be cooked.
- Split the charcoal coals into two separate piles. Use one side for very hot coals and the other for ones that are for keeping foods warm that don’t require very hot heat. Now you’ll have a split grill to cook with using both direct and indirect cooking areas.
- Most grills have a lid. Keep the lid down when grilling thicker cuts of meat and raise it when cooking thin cuts of meat so they’ll all come out perfectly.
- Barbecue sauces should be applied to grilled foods in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
- Allow the meat to retain its juices by letting the meat rest for a few minutes before cutting into them after being grilled to your friend’s preferences.
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