Tailgating Menu for USC Game

[GopherLady]

I think just about everything has been dissected regarding Gopher Football from the D to budget, coaching, fans, players, the list goes on and on...so here's a new topic, food and drinks!

I've always had the mentality that we may not win the game, but we'll win the party (or tailgate) - that's what's kept me a loyal Gopher fan throughout the years, because we always make the gameday experience a good one.

Our group finally wised up and we split up the games, and I'm doing the food for our group this Saturday. Here's what I'm brainstorming, but would love any other ideas for good food, that's easy to make:

To start:
Buffalo chicken dip
Taco dip
Artichoke dip
Veggie Pizza

Main course:
Ribs (slow cooked at home, of course, for 3+ hours)
Cheesy potatoes
Grilled asparagus

Cupcakes or cookies for dessert. I'm also debating on a drink - I have a big cooler/drink thing - am trying to think of something inexpensive to make for 20-30 people, but yummy.

What do you all have planned? Any ideas I can rip off ?

 

[Gopher Bandanna Guy]

Thanks for lightening the mood around here GL, I appreciate it...

What is this buffalo chicken dip you speak of, and how can I make myself some for my tailgate next week?

As far as suggestions go, I love bacon and cream cheese stuffed mushroom caps. Easy to make and quick to warm up on the grill.

 

[Winnipegopher]

Hmm, that sounds good. I think you need some garlicky coleslaw to go with the ribs. I could tell you where to get it in Winnipeg but not Minneapolis. A good deli slaw beats homemade everytime (sorry Grandma-RIP).

In my opinion, desert is not neccessary whenever a lot of adult beverages are drunk. If needed, I say pie and ice cream, but of course, I always say that.

As for a drink, I say you go for a caesar.

http://www.infobarrel.com/How-To_Mix_a_Caesar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clamato

Once you have a caesar you will never go back to bloody mary's. Not sure if you can get Mott's Clamato juice in Minneapolis though a quick google search shows that it is popular with the Mexican community.

 

[norman dale]

norman dale requests no asparagus

Our group finally wised up and we split up the games, and I'm doing the food for our group this Saturday. Here's what I'm brainstorming, but would love any other ideas for good food, that's easy to make:

To start:
Buffalo chicken dip
Taco dip
Artichoke dipVeggie Pizza

Per wikipedia (and my own observations)

However, in the 1980s three studies from France,[27] China and Israel published results showing that producing odorous urine from asparagus was a universal human characteristic. The Israeli study found that from their 307 subjects all of those who could smell 'asparagus urine' could detect it in the urine of anyone who had eaten asparagus, even if the person who produced it could not detect it himself.[28] Thus, it is now believed that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating asparagus, but only about 22% of the population have the autosomal genes required to smell them

And that's just what happens to urine. I don't want to get into other bodily fluids.

norman dale will request copious amounts of blueberry vodka concoctions.

 

[koppco1]

Hmm, that sounds good. I think you need some garlicky coleslaw to go with the ribs. I could tell you where to get it in Winnipeg but not Minneapolis. A good deli slaw beats homemade everytime (sorry Grandma-RIP).

In my opinion, desert is not neccessary whenever a lot of adult beverages are drunk. If needed, I say pie and ice cream, but of course, I always say that.

As for a drink, I say you go for a caeser.

http://www.infobarrel.com/How-To_Mix_a_Caesar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clamato

Once you have a caeser you will never go back to bloody mary's. Not sure if you can get Mott's Clamato juice in Minneapolis though a quick google search shows that it is popular with the Mexican community.

Agreed. A Caesar is about a million times better than a Bloody Mary. By the way, Clamato is available most anywhere in Minneapolis (many liquor stores and many grocery stores).

 

[GopherLady]

Thanks for lightening the mood around here GL, I appreciate it...

What is this buffalo chicken dip you speak of, and how can I make myself some for my tailgate next week?

As far as suggestions go, I love bacon and cream cheese stuffed mushroom caps. Easy to make and quick to warm up on the grill.

Great idea on the shrooms - that's easy to make on Friday and just head it up, thanks! Buffalo Chicken dip goes like this:

2-3 cans of white meat chicken (I like it more chicken-y)
1 cup of Ranch (I use light)
1 thing of cream cheese (I use light on this too - fat free is yucky)
1/3 - 1/2 cup of Frank's Buffalo sauce, depending on how spicy you like it
Top with lots of shredded cheddar cheese, and bake until melted and gooey. You can transfer this to a crock pot for game day. Serve with tortilla chips, fritos, whatever you like . It's easy, cheap to make, and addictive it's so good!

Hmm, that sounds good. I think you need some garlicky coleslaw to go with the ribs. I could tell you where to get it in Winnipeg but not Minneapolis. A good deli slaw beats homemade everytime (sorry Grandma-RIP).

In my opinion, desert is not neccessary whenever a lot of adult beverages are drunk. If needed, I say pie and ice cream, but of course, I always say that.

As for a drink, I say you go for a caesar.

http://www.infobarrel.com/How-To_Mix_a_Caesar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clamato

Once you have a caesar you will never go back to bloody mary's. Not sure if you can get Mott's Clamato juice in Minneapolis though a quick google search shows that it is popular with the Mexican community.

Thanks - but I actually hate tomato juice, I'm not a bloody girl (or Caesar) - I'm sure some will mix those up though.

And that's just what happens to urine. I don't want to get into other bodily fluids.

norman dale will request copious amounts of blueberry vodka concoctions.

Beggers can't be choosers, especially those that offer to bring eggs and milk to the tailgate. You'll drink what I make, and you'll like it!

 

[Formo]

That buffalo chicken dip sounds freakin' AWESOME!!! Thanks for the quick recipe.

Now.. GBG needs to enlighten us on his stuffed mushroom caps.. That sounds freakin' delicious as well!

 

[GopherLady]

That buffalo chicken dip sounds freakin' AWESOME!!! Thanks for the quick recipe.

Now.. GBG needs to enlighten us on his stuffed mushroom caps.. That sounds freakin' delicious as well!

I'd like to hear that too (or anyone's good recipes) - this one looked good:

Ingredients

* 3 slices bacon
* 8 crimini mushrooms
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1 tablespoon chopped onion
* 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, dice and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Remove mushroom stems. Set aside caps. Chop the stems.
4. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Slowly cook and stir the chopped stems and onion until the onion is soft. Remove from heat.
5. In a medium bowl, stir together the mushroom stem mixture, bacon and 1/2 cup Cheddar. Mix well and scoop the mixture into the mushroom caps.
6. Bake in the preheated oven 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
7. Remove the mushrooms from the oven, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

 

[Gopher Bandanna Guy]

Yup - that mushroom recipe will work. Pretty darn close to what I do, except I replace the chedder with cream cheese, and the crimini mushrooms with snow mushrooms (cheaper).

Thanks for the Buff chix dip recipe! I may use that this weekend.

 

[Firejumper]

GL-

The buffalo dip sounds fantastic. My mouth is watering at 6:00 a.m. I take it you must run a generator on gameday to power the crockpot? Speaking of which, does anyone know of/endorse a crock pot that doesn't require AC? Can't afford a generator, spent all my retirement money on a tailgate lot pass.

I love ribs and yours sound great. I just wish the darn things weren't so messy to eat. On that front, last year we made pork chops on a stick, ala state fair. We coated ours with Famous Daves rib rub the night before. They were a big hit, and easy to handle for tailgating.

 

[GopherLady]

GL-

The buffalo dip sounds fantastic. My mouth is watering at 6:00 a.m. I take it you must run a generator on gameday to power the crockpot? Speaking of which, does anyone know of/endorse a crock pot that doesn't require AC? Can't afford a generator, spent all my retirement money on a tailgate lot pass.

I love ribs and yours sound great. I just wish the darn things weren't so messy to eat. On that front, last year we made pork chops on a stick, ala state fair. We coated ours with Famous Daves rib rub the night before. They were a big hit, and easy to handle for tailgating.

There's this Coleman slow cooker that is heated by propane. It's spendier, but not too bad:

http://www.nextag.com/Coleman-Propa...rices-html?nxtg=50170a1c0520-ED38291DA32E6A05

If you don't go for that, I'd actually guess that you could be your grill on the lowest setting (and heat just one side) and put it on the grill. You'd have to stir a lot and keep an eye on to make sure it doesn't burn though.

I don't think my ribs are too messey, they pretty much should fall off the bone, so you can actually eat them with a fork. I like the pork chop on a stick idea as well!

 

[highwayman]

Not too fancy or involved, but we're going with chicken/shrimp/beef/veggie kabobs for the game this weekend. Pretty easy to do and still tasty.

Go Gophers!

 

[Unregistered User]

Big fan of kabobs. I usually cube a variety of meats, veggies and some fruit. Let people make their own, and have 2 or 3 marinade's sitting nearby.

 

[GOFUR]

For this Saturday it's Spam Kabobs for an appetizer and grilled chicken drummies and ribs for the main course.

 

[KoolAid]

Beer - lots of it. Preferably cold, although not mandatory.

 

[Unregistered User]

I've been working on a bit of a recipe for deep fried steak fingers. I think they will get broken out for this game.

If they work out, there is really nothing else I need, besides cold beer.

 

[began11]

Pastalaya

I had my bachelor party in New Orleans three years ago and my buddies and I made the trip down to Baton Rouge for the LSU vs. Florida game. LSU fans take their tailgaiting to new heights and other than drinking some moonshine we were introduced to a dish called PASTALAYA. It is a cajun/creole type of pasta dish. We did it for the Air Force game last year and are going to do it again for the USC game. Thanks for the other recipes and GO GOPHERS!







http://www.familycookbookproject.com/view_recipesite.asp?rid=1223200&uid=15812&sid=31915

 

[FireDaveLee]

Got a few for you, Nadine.

Buffalo Wings: All I do is buy the big frozen pack of chicken wings/drummies at Costco, put what fits into a foil pan (frozen), and then turn on the grill....let it somewhat heat up for a bit, and then pour over at least 1 bottle of buffalo sauce (Sweet Baby Rays at Rainbow works well & is a good size). Then you just let it sit on the grill for a good 45 minutes.....the sauce will start to heat & bubble. Just keep tossing & turning the wings in the sauce to get all points covered.

After about 45 minutes, you find some monkey in your tailgate crew & dare him to see if the wings are done yet. He (or she, I suppose) will take a taste & let you know if they're done, or need more time. Good thing about these are you can let them sit a bit and they're still tasty even when the temp cools. I've had good luck with these anyway.

Another item: White Salsa Dip. Wife buys the big Dipstix jugs at the fair every year. You might even be able to get them online at dipstix.com....salsa. Just follow the directions, which is a cup of dipstix for a cup of sour cream (perhaps a little more sour cream as it has some kick). Sprinkle in a little taco seasoning and you have a winner! I put it on everything; tostitos, doritos, hot dogs, brats, burgers, birthday cake, chocolate fondu, you name it! You premake it at home, just keep it refrigerated, toss it in the cooler and you'll have a guaranteed hit!

 

[dctrc]

Try These.........

If it's chilly outside, heat up some lemonade before you leave home and throw it in your 'thingy' with some vodka. Inexpensive, yet effective.

Or...if the weather is a little more mellow, I've got a feeling you just might take a liking to 'Flirtini's':

At home, whip up the following concoction and stir it up in your 'thingy': 4 parts Raspberry Vodka, 3 parts Triple Sec, 2 parts Cranberry juice, and 1 part pineapple juice. Add ice to your concoction upon arrival at your tailgate.

Now, you'll need need clear plastic glasses (12 oz or so ), a bunch of raspberries ( frozen or fresh ) and a few bottles of champagne.

To serve, ask your Cabana Boy - the unflappable Normandale - to hand each of your lucky guests a plastic glass and have him plop a few raspberries down on the bottom ( be sure to assign Goldy's Army to keep an eye on this dude as he may not always wash his hands after shaking the dew off his lily ).

Normandale will then fill each glass one third of the way up with champagne ( doesn't have to be the expensive stuff ), and then ask each guest to top their own glass off with the concoction in your 'thingy'.

But beware: This drink is definitely an 'IPR"..........

Enjoy!

 

[GopherLady]

I had my bachelor party in New Orleans three years ago and my buddies and I made the trip down to Baton Rouge for the LSU vs. Florida game. LSU fans take their tailgaiting to new heights and other than drinking some moonshine we were introduced to a dish called PASTALAYA. It is a cajun/creole type of pasta dish. We did it for the Air Force game last year and are going to do it again for the USC game. Thanks for the other recipes and GO GOPHERS!

http://www.familycookbookproject.com/view_recipesite.asp?rid=1223200&uid=15812&sid=31915

This - looks awesome, and easy! I wish I hadn't already promised people ribs - this is so much cheaper and feeds a lot. I will make this next time, looks great!

Got a few for you, Nadine.

Buffalo Wings: All I do is buy the big frozen pack of chicken wings/drummies at Costco, put what fits into a foil pan (frozen), and then turn on the grill....let it somewhat heat up for a bit, and then pour over at least 1 bottle of buffalo sauce (Sweet Baby Rays at Rainbow works well & is a good size). Then you just let it sit on the grill for a good 45 minutes.....the sauce will start to heat & bubble. Just keep tossing & turning the wings in the sauce to get all points covered.

After about 45 minutes, you find some monkey in your tailgate crew & dare him to see if the wings are done yet. He (or she, I suppose) will take a taste & let you know if they're done, or need more time. Good thing about these are you can let them sit a bit and they're still tasty even when the temp cools. I've had good luck with these anyway.

Another item: White Salsa Dip. Wife buys the big Dipstix jugs at the fair every year. You might even be able to get them online at dipstix.com....salsa. Just follow the directions, which is a cup of dipstix for a cup of sour cream (perhaps a little more sour cream as it has some kick). Sprinkle in a little taco seasoning and you have a winner! I put it on everything; tostitos, doritos, hot dogs, brats, burgers, birthday cake, chocolate fondu, you name it! You premake it at home, just keep it refrigerated, toss it in the cooler and you'll have a guaranteed hit!

Great ideas too! I particularly like the idea of having the mooch try out the wings - you won't have mooches come around much longer!

If it's chilly outside, heat up some lemonade before you leave home and throw it in your 'thingy' with some vodka. Inexpensive, yet effective.

Or...if the weather is a little more mellow, I've got a feeling you just might take a liking to 'Flirtini's':

At home, whip up the following concoction and stir it up in your 'thingy': 4 parts Raspberry Vodka, 3 parts Triple Sec, 2 parts Cranberry juice, and 1 part pineapple juice. Add ice to your concoction upon arrival at your tailgate.

Now, you'll need need clear plastic glasses (12 oz or so ), a bunch of raspberries ( frozen or fresh ) and a few bottles of champagne.

To serve, ask your Cabana Boy - the unflappable Normandale - to hand each of your lucky guests a plastic glass and have him plop a few raspberries down on the bottom ( be sure to assign Goldy's Army to keep an eye on this dude as he may not always wash his hands after shaking the dew off his lily ).

Normandale will then fill each glass one third of the way up with champagne ( doesn't have to be the expensive stuff ), and then ask each guest to top their own glass off with the concoction in your 'thingy'.

But beware: This drink is definitely an 'IPR"..........

Enjoy!

This would be an exceptional idea, if I could get GA or ND to help out! Seeing at they're pretty worthless after a few cocktails themselves, it will have to be 100 % premade. I will, however, be sure to make these at my next party.

As for the cocktail I decided on - I'm actually infusing fresh raspberries into a vokda right now, it's going to sit for 5 days. Then I'll mix it with homemade lemonade - so all these bozos (and I mean that as a term of endearment) have to pour! .

P.S. Miss you, dctrc! See you in Madison!

 

[Formo]

Awesome ideas!!

My wife makes some mean taco dip.. Pretty much just takes cream cheese and mixes it with any combination of salsas.. I like mine hot and buffalo-y, so I mix the cream cheese with onions, hot salsa, and buffalo sauce. Then layer the dip in a 2 inch deep pan (aluminum disposable is what we use) at the bottom, then sprinkle diced tomatos, lettuce, onions (I like my onions) and whatever other taco toppings you like (black olives, sour cream, etc). The dip is always a hit. Obviously Tostitos or Frito scoops are the best chip for this dip.

Another cheap and quick dip is taking cream cheese, a little milk, a diced onion and black pepper and mixing it up to a dip like consistency (don't overdo the milk).. Great for your regular Lays or Ruffle chips.

I know I have a few more awesome ideas.. but am drawing blanks ATM. Anyway.. All this talk about tailgating makes me want to wander the lots this Saturday in search for some of these awesome recipes!