The Last Tailgate

From Food and Wine

Since Sunday’s game marks the last tailgate of the season, check-out Sports Manias’ look at Chicago Bears tailgate that was part of their tour. Do note the importance of Krispy Kremes, which have been mentioned a few times over the course of this season: Bears at Panthers and Bears vs Buccaneers.

Remember, any successful tailgate requires efficient use of the grill. Any of these recipes can be cooked using a hot grill to heat up or to cook the grub. Be sure to prep all of the food beforehand at home. If you are tailgating at home, follow the recipes as stated.

From Food Network by Trisha Yearwood

Starters: Charleston cheese dip and Roasted jalapeno poppers

If you love cheese, you will enjoy these recipes. The dip calls for cream cheese, sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, blended smooth with a bit of mayonnaise. This mixture is topped with crumbled Ritz crackers.  For the poppers, cream cheese, feta, and pepper-Jack cheeses fill a half of an jalapeno.

Main: Hanger steak sloppy joes

Believe it or not, this recipe demonstrates the transformation of leftovers. Saturday night, have chile glazed hanger steak, or plan to cook the meat while munching on the appetizers. With the steak, all you need is some chicken broth and left over glaze from the steak, and that’s your sloppy joe mixture. The slaw just calls for a bagged slaw tossed with a mayonnaise, cider vinegar and sugar. Get some good buns and this dish is served.

From Food and Wine

Dessert: Bacon-chocolate-chip-oatmeal cookies and No bake chocolate peanut butter cookies

Since this game is during the week of Christmas, why not serve cookies? Start the first batch by frying some extra bacon. Take a basic dough, add that bacon, a bit of oatmeal and chocolate-chips. The oatmeal gives the impression that these cookies are healthy. Right? The second cookies require Corn Puffs, yes, a puffed-corn cereal, peanut butter cups, and peanut butter, all mixed in a food processor. Then roll this mixture out; roll the newly formed log in chocolate sprinkles for a festive touch, refrigerate, then slice and serve. I don’t think any of these will make it for Santa.

Even though our team may not have the season we all wished for, I hope that you have added new ideas to your tailgating and game-viewing parties, so that you did host the parties you wished for. Happy Holidays to you and your crew!