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Kevin Belton Apple Cream Cheese Slab Pie Recipe

Excitement drives this gridiron gatherings tailgating ideas and recipes post down the field of football season is here dreams.

Pregame good times celebrated at home or on location to roast, toast, grill and gab before the game is almost as exciting as the game itself.

field-goal-posts

The return of high school, college and NFL football is not without a bit of mask-proof of vaccination controversy this year, but at least the return of high school, college, and NFL football with fans welcomed to attend under stadium and state guidelines with safety in mind is happening.

LSU-football-2021-schedule

LSU Sports

The football nation is gearing up for Friday night lights-Saturday gridiron gatherings-NFL Sunday soirees at stadiums and at home (yes, Virginia, there is an at-home option).

catching-football

It is said that football is a religion, and the South the mother church of the football faithful.

Evidence of this is seen on any home game Saturday at Tiger Stadium.

football-game-LSU-Alabama

Adjustments to how and where we tailgate accommodate campus and stadium requirements (hurricane cancellations and evacuations as well).

Safety first scores a touchdown in the personal comfort zone.

NOLA-Saints-masks

Now, we all know football means fall and fall as a theme opens up the field to easy and affordable statement making food, beverage, and decorating choices to build upon.

sunset-Vicksburg-Mississippi

Hampton Bay Metal and Glass Outdoor Patio Lantern

Lighting sets a festive mood, especially at a late afternoon or evening tailgating event.

Better-Homes-Gardens-clear-glass-bulbs-brown-wire-string-lights-for-outdoors

Outdoor candle lanterns paired with LED votives and pillars advance the tailgating area into chic dinner party territory, and why not!

Willstar 3 Pack Candle Lights Flameless Wax LED Pillar Candles Flickering Remote Control Lights

3 Pack Candle Lights Flameless Wax LED Pillar Candles with Remote Control

You're not locked into a particular theme other than casual yet elegant football tailgating finery.

You've got people to see, dishes to taste, and socializing to do.

Hit the remote and forget about it.

LED-taper-candles

Shop flea markets and online swap shop sites for a new to you light fixture ready to become a lighting focal point to add to your tailgating area.

black-iron-candle-hanging-chandelier

Give the fixture a good cleaning and perhaps a quick coat of spray paint, remove all the existing wiring, retrofit with LED pillar candles (easy peasy), and adorn with natural elements, string lights, mesh fabric in team colors, or a fall festive garland.

6ft. Pumpkin, Pinecone & Leaf Garland by Ashland®

6ft. Pumpkin, Pinecone & Leaf Garland by Ashland®

Planning these ultimate pregame meet, greet and eat get togethers is part of the game day experience- a social event that counts as a prime style occasion for decoristas to seize the design and decorating opportunity to show your personal style.

game-day-outfit-choices

ladies-tiger-print-shoes

Women's Casual Shoes (Tiger Design)

Tailgaters are known for bringing their A-game to the game day tailgating tablescape.

Grove-tailgating-centerpiece

The Grove at Ole Miss – Au Courant Floral Creation

Decoristas know how to style and set space and table by taking advantage of the season's offerings.

Late summer sees sunflowers, lush greenery, magnolia leaves, and seasonal fruits and vegetables ripe for the decorating picking.

corn-cobs-red-ribbons

Go Huskers!

Corn husk wreath around the cake stand, candles, or a platter of corn tamales- how cute!

corn husk wreath

Autumn Fall Harvest 23″ Corn Husk Wreath

Build on the for the fall of it all theme by decorating with fall festive pine cones, pumpkins, vines, branches, gourds and flowers.

natural-elements-for-decorating

I can't think of a better tailgating table runner foundation than this synthetic grass table runner.

Juvale Synthetic Grass Table Runner

Juvale Synthetic Grass Table Runner

orange-white-plaid-table-cloth

Go Vols!

Seasonal flowers, natural or spray painted branches, magnolia leaves or seasonal stems paired with vintage or in the style of vintage trophy or champagne bucket vases make impressive centerpiece presentations.

silver-grand-trophy-cup

Silver Grand Trophy Cup

Fresh and festive flower bargains afford me the opportunity to load up on blooms of beauty.

fresh-yellow-roses-blue-hydrangeas

Pick up a sunflower bouquets ($4.87 each) at Walmart.

Pop in eucalyptus stems in fall or team colors paired with gathered cotton team print fabric- fabulous!

sunflowers-5-stems

silver-grand-trophy-cup-with-sunflowers

purple-gold-tulle-fabric

Pack a plastic urn with magnolia leaves

Plastic urns are lightweight and easy to haul around game to game, and magnolia leaves a wonderfully inexpensive-natural-beautiful choice of centerpiece accent.

magnolia-leaves-in-urn

Mums and pumpkins, the unofficial official season and flower of fall and football, remind me of homecoming court corsages and crisp fall game day afternoons and evenings.

Cut out a pumpkin, add mums in team or seasonal colors, and voilĆ ; fall is on the table.

Paired together as focal point centerpieces, mums and pumpkins naturally create the look of the season.

mums-in-Cinderella-pumpkin

An easy DIY pumpkin centerpiece project is a couple bags of moss and an application of spray adhesive away from becoming a dazzling seasonal stunner.

pumpkin-with-moss-BHG-photo-Ed-Gohlich

Better Homes & Gardens

The DIY project from Better Homes & Gardens adds succulents cuttings to the moss, and although lovely, I prefer the natural simple elegance achieved with just the moss.

Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum Moss

Faux pumpkins easily become decorative darlings when painted in team colors and paired with a vintage style football.

purple-gold-pumpkins

LSU Official-Size Vintage Football

Krylon-gold-spray-paint

Bargain bins, dollar, thrift, and big box stores and end of season clearance sales can be tailgating tabletop treasure troves.

Give the attic or storage closet a once over for football themed oldies but goodies to put to decorating use.

LSU-college-bucket

Leaktite 5 Gallon LSU College Bucket

Home Depot can't seem to keep these 5 gal. LSU college buckets in stock at this time of year.

They transport well and qualify as a…

Centerpiece vase.

Trash can.

Pack, cart and store carryall.

Ultimate gift bag for the sports fan.

chargers-for-tailgating

Faux Wood Charger

I lean towards selecting tablewares and serving pieces made from natural materials or with the look of for their durability and focal point factor.

-and-

You get a whole lotta bang for your buck as we are entering into the fall and holiday season where natural pieces and neutral colors complement and reign entertaining supreme.

Footed Teak Serving Board

Footed Teak Serving Board

Autumn Wooden Pumpkin Platter

Place & Time Autumn Wooden Pumpkin Platter

Bowl 6oz 4pk Set - Cherry Wood

Bowl 6oz 4pk Set – Cherry Wood

wheat-copper-serving-utensils

Wheat Copper Pastry Server and Serving Spoon

Picnic Time Kickoff Serving Tray

Picnic Time® Kickoff Cutting Board & Serving Tray

There's a time and a place for paper and plastic, and tailgating is the time for paper plates, napkins, and plastic drinkware.

game-day-plates-napkins-cups

Stacking draws the eye and frees up valuable tabletop space.

wood-cake-stands-beaded

Brown or white paper lunch bags filled with snacks like popcorn, crackers, chips, and pretzels mixes and placed in baskets or on trays conquers the issue of a more visually appetizing way to present snacks and goodies in individual servings.

tailgating-serving-pieces

Now let's look at a few more tailgating ideas and recipes.

Show your football in the fall spirit with this in the spirit of fall spirit.

Delish shows us this easy recipe and serving presentation idea for Apple Pie Vodka.

Mainstays 23-Ounce Football Cooler Glasses, Set of 6

Mainstays 23-Ounce Football Cooler Glasses, Set of 6

Fellow tailgaters invited to join in the pregame ritual of gathering together over food and drink love to bring something to the tailgating table.

When our Callin' Baton Rouge tailgating friends ask what can they bring my stock answer is fried chicken.

Pick up a basket, box or bucket of this tailgating food favorite and bring the delicious and the easy to the table.

fried-chicken

Click on the link for the written instructions for Oven-Baked Texas Trash Bean Dip.

Lemony Spinach-Artichoke Dip Recipe

Lemony Spinach-Artichoke Dip Recipe

Pack up individual boxes for guests and serve along with individual dippin' fixin's such as crostini, chips, and/or crackers.

takeout-boxes

Lemony Spinach-Artichoke Dip Recipe

Ingredients

1 (14-oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 (8-oz.) container sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 envelope dry vegetable soup mix

¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

Assorted corn or tortilla chips

Directions

Stir together first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.

Drain thawed spinach well, pressing between paper towels; stir into artichoke mixture. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

Serve with assorted corn or tortilla chips.

-Southern Living

Kevin Belton's Cookin' Louisiana

Kevin Belton's Cookin' Louisiana

Kevin Belton cooks Louisiana, and the parishes of The Pelican State love the taste of home.

Louisiana cooking hits the flavor button with its unique blends and mixes of spices, sauces, and syrups.

Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter

Garden & Gun – Photo by Eugenia Uhl

Kevin Belton's recipe for Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter  is a marriage of unexpected flavor combinations resulting in a c'est si bon taste treat.

cast-iron-skillet-black

Creole-spices

Back to the individual serving appetizers school of thought, after studying the staged image of the popcorn, loving the rustic, rusty, and fabulous decorative tin piece, it dawned on me how easy it would be to replicate the look with a new PVC ceiling tile.

Consider it a tailgating table investment piece, although the price per tile is under $20.

decorative-PVC-tin-inspired-ceiling-tile

Milan 2 ft. x 2 ft. Glue Up PVC Ceiling Tile in Graphite Gold

Still love this option, too.

Caramel Peanut Popcorn Snack Mix

Southern Living – Photo by Greg Dupree

Rustic Hammered Copper Cauldron

Unique sets an impressive table.

Stromboli-recipe

Stromboli is a pizza inspired full meal appetizer of epic eats proportions, and this recipe for Stromboli from Julie's Eats & Treats will score with the crowd.

LSU Gumbo.

LSU-Gumbo-yearbooks

LSU Gumbo Yearbook

LSU Game Day Gumbo.

tailgating-gumbo-recipe

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Great-northern-bean-and-chicken-soup-recipe-1

white-bean-chicken-soup-recipe (1)

Great Northern Bean and Chicken Soup

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced

3 stalks celery, diced

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon minced garlic

2 cans Great Northern beans

1½ cups cooked chicken, shredded

1 32 ounce box chicken broth

1 chicken bouillon cube

2 cups water

Directions

Melt the butter in Dutch oven (or just toss the butter in with the veggies like I do).  Add the sliced carrots, chopped celery and chopped onion.  SautĆ© until onions become translucent.

Add shredded chicken, beans, bay leaf, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir to incorporate all the flavor goodness together.  Add water, bouillon cube and chicken broth bringing to a boil.

Once a good bubbling boil is reached, reduce heat to low and allow soup to simmer for 45-60 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf and serve with crackers or cheesy corn cornbread.

white-bean-chicken-soup-recipe (2)

Baskets come in as handy dandy serving and displaying option crackers, breads, and cookies.

Pumpkin Rattan Basket by Ashland®

Pumpkin Rattan Basket by Ashland®

Large Willow Basket by Ashland®

Large Willow Basket by Ashland®

fairytale-pumpkins-trio

Sausage-Pumpkin-Soup

fairytale-pumpkins-trio

Sausage Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients

1 pound bulk pork sausage

1/3 cup chopped onion

2 cans (14-½ ounces each) chicken broth

1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin

½ cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

Directions

In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 4-qt. slow cooker.

Add the broth, pumpkin, syrup, pie spice, garlic powder and nutmeg.  Cover and cook on low until flavors are blended, 3-4 hours.  Stir in milk; heat through.

Serve with croutons, crackers 0r cornbread.

-Taste of Home

Philly-Cheesesteak-Recipe

Philly Cheesesteak Recipe from Valerie's Kitchen is gameday perfection.

spices-seasonings-sauces

What's a tailgate without a good hamburger?

hamburger-patties-ready-to-grill

The seasoning trick begins with plenty of salt and pepper.

peeled-onion

Cook the hamburger patties low and slow, throw in a handful or two of thinly sliced onions, perhaps some mushrooms, and go full-on flavor from there.

sauteed-mushrooms-in-butter

private-selection-hot-pepper-bacon-jam

Have any of you tried a spoonful of Private Selection Hot Pepper Bacon Jam atop your hamburger patty?

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

Your taste buds will thank you.

Spiced Apple Hobo Pack-Blaine-Moats

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Blaine Moats

Apples and cinnamon and brown sugar, oh my!

The taste of fall and flavor suited to tailgating found in this recipe for Spiced Apple Hobo Packs.

foil-apple-pack-ingredients (1)

Inquiring Chef's recipe for Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Bars is fourth quarter (dessert) on the board delicious.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Bars

This recipe for Moist Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze from Butternut Baker includes pumpkin, maple glaze made with real maple syrup, and a crunchy streusel so rich and so delicious it will become your new fall taste treat obsession.

Moist Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze

From pan to pack tote to platter, cookies, sweet breads, cakes, and brownies travel well and satisfy the sweet tooth of big kids who tailgate.

Community-coffee-flavors

Dessert and coffee go together like football and tailgating.

tiger coffee mug

Make mine a cup of Community Coffee- a Louisiana tailgating tradition.

LSU-Golden-Band

Distinctive and delicious tailgating ideas and recipes sets the pregame party in motion to score an entertaining touchdown.

Love your style!

Conversations, estimations, and prognostications for the upcoming LSU Tigers football season has gone from a meow to a roar.

Norman-Catwell

Football fans- this is not a drill.

If you haven't scouted the recipes, planned the menus, decorations and tailgating tablescapes ideas we've got something to talk about as well.

Football fans and the tailgating nation from conference to conference, division to division take their football and tailgating times serious.

Football fans here in the South surely do, and come rain, sunshine, humidity or hurricane, we let the good tailgating times roll.

LSU_Stadium_night

Tiger Stadium

Tailgating planning and execution is a process that rivals that of an elaborate dinner party.

The selection of a tailgating tablescapes theme and  the perfect decor accessories and tablewares can be an entertaining success from parking to parting.

LSU-tailgating The Local Palate

Tailgating has come along way from the hibachi and red Solo cup days, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Tailgaters decked out in team attire and colors believe in getting the party started early in game day style.

lsu-dooney-bourke

The old adage football is a religion in the South has a lot of truth to it.

The shall we gather at the stadium loyal gather together to get the pregame ritual kicked off in true Tiger style.

Game day chic includes both a pregame bag and a clear bag compliant with stadium policy.

Vince Camuto Aryna Clear Cross-Body Bag

Team logo and tiger chic flats and sandals bring style and comfort to the look.

For the away games to college towns where fall is actually fall, gold metallic espadrille slip-on sneakers or warm lined suede boots fit the bill.

lsu-sandals

Crossband Leather Slide Sandals

gold-espadrille

Warm Lined Suede Boots

Military Anorak Safari Jacket Coat

D&Y-Black-Tiger-Print-Infinity-Scarf

Eye of the Tiger

Tortoise Cutout Drop Earrings

tiger tailgating

Tiger Tailgating

To every sport there is a season, and to every tailgating tablescape there is a reason.

If real estate is all about location, location, location tailgating tablescapes is all about display, display, display.

Pitch your tailgating tent in a prime location, hang a focal point chandelier, and proceed to impress the crowd with your tailgating tablescapes skills and style.

Sonoma Natural Beaded Brown 8-light Chandelier

I begin by dressing the table in whatever choice of table linens fits this weeks theme.

Burlap is the tailgating accessory that consistently tops the tailgating tablescapes must have table linens list because of its durability and inexpensive price tag.

Versatile for table covers and table runners, burlap, the on-trend farmhouse chic fabric, is a very forgiving fabric.

natural-burlap

Online Fabric Store

There's no crying in football or spilled chili, dip, gumbo, cocktails, etc…

Spills happen.

If a stain should occur, cover it up with a serving tray or platter for the duration of your tailgating soiree (a hosting trick).

Between tailgating times, head over to a fabric store or online retailer to pick up or order a couple of more yards of this tailgating friendly fabric.

artificial-grass-table-runner

I really like this artificial grass table runner option.

Dress it up or dress it down style on the field.

Decorating your tailgating tablescapes with pieces in team colors, seasonal accents, and holiday du jour decor never fails to impress the crowd.

My game changer tablescape works with a casual yet elegant theme.

It brings a bit of juxtaposition to the tailgating tablescapes mix with stoneware plates paired with inexpensive faux wood chargers.

gold-faux-wood-charger Gold Faux Wood Charger

faux-magnolia-wreath

Magnolia Leaves Wreath

Wreaths make fantastic candle rings for tailgating tablescapes, and when  football season is over you can use these for home for the holidays decorating.

STONEBRIAR COLLECTION Medium Rustic Metal Hurricane Lantern

silver-candlesticks-vintage

Treasure Chest

Louisiana tailgating must include several lanterns in the New Orleans architectural styles design .

lantern-candle-holders

Birch slab round tree slices, woven trays, and baskets make the extra point as serving pieces and decorative additions for the fall football tailgating tablescape of it all.

Birch Slab Round Tree Slices

Birch Slab Round Tree Slices

woven-serving-tray

baskets-for-tailgating

Natural Wheat Stacks make the starting lineup for fabulous tailgating tablescapes accessories.

Good look, great height.

Natural Wheat Stack With Ribbon

Easy to work with centerpiece options include a team mascot figurine, collectible helmet, and a bronze poly-stone football player sculpture.

tailgating tablescapes

collectible-helmet

football-player-statue-sculpture

Arrangements of fresh or faux flowers and plants of the season set a festive and colorful scene.

Crotons, hydrangeas, garden mums, marigolds, branches, decorative feathers, dried lotus pods, magnolia leaves and sunflowers give a festive nod to fall and transport well.

Chrysanthemums

Fir0002/Flagstaffotos

Vases and containers can be as simple as a collection of empty vegetable-sauce-bean cans to dollar store metal vases with rope accents to craft pumpkins to a football cut to accommodate a can in which to house fresh flowers.

When selecting vases and containers, I keep ease of transport, the unique factor, and avoid breakage at all times in mind.

creole-canned-food

metal-vases

birch-bark-pots-vases

Natural Birch Bark Zinc Planter Pots

Boston ferns hanging baskets placed in plastic urns or simply placed tabletop add a touch of casual elegance.

Boston-fern-in-urn

Pumpkin time is coming.

Fresh, decorative, painted, carved or football- the pumpkin is a decorative powerhouse.

Football-Pumpkin-fall

Copper Glitter-Dipped Pumpkin

white-decorative-pumpkin

Silver Galvanized Metal Pumpkin

Simple serves a purpose, a hungry crowd, and an easy cleanup detail.

I keep my eye of the tiger on these 5 gallon college buckets from Home Depot.

I like to pick up several of these tailgating gotta have it staples to use as a carry all, cool all and basic catchall.

LSU-5-gallon-bucket

Tailgating tablescapes wow factor serveware suggestions include cake stands stacked for a tiered effect.

Stacked cake stands work great as serving pieces and chic displays for cheeses, fruits, crackers, breads, muffins and of course, cake.

marble-wood-pedestal-stand

chocolate-pumpkin-butter

wood-ellis-stand

quick-ranch-bread-sliced

Be sure to shop end of season sales and clearance sections for all your tailgating tablescapes needs.

The very fall and Halloween color choice appropriate Corin melamine serving collection in spice orange is on clearance at Crate & Barrel.

Corin Melamine Long Spice Orange Serving Platter

The Lodge cast iron bowl is a tailgating must have when serving chili, soup, stew or Frito chili pie.

Lodge 12-Ounce Cast Iron Mini Serving Bowl

Vintage wares make chic tablescape pieces.

vintage-wooden-crates-boxes

Treasure Chest

The vintage wood crate is a tailgate tablescapes dream to work with as a flatware caddy, wrapped food holder, cocktail garnishes, or condiment holder.

bread-bags

Bread Bags

purple-gold-raffia

bloody-mary-garnishes

Stainless Steel Garnish Branches

cajun-garnishes

sauces

coke-crate

Antique Shoppes At 1100 Barksdale

These versatile and sturdy crates add just the right amount of vintage to the look and ease to tote, travel, and tablescape.

Threshold MidTone Large Milk Crate Dark Taupe

Chili and chilly is a delicious tailgating combination for fall game days.

hot-chocolate-bar

enamel-latte-mug

A woven crate basket can pull triple duty as a tailgate supply tote for a hot chocolate with all the fixings, turned upside down and used as the aforementioned fixings display, and holder of fleece throws in seasonal or team colors.

fleece-throw

I like items that pull double tableware duty.

plastic-urn

Is it an urn for a fall foliage centerpiece or is it a stylish beverage tub?

plastic-solo-cups-clear

LSU-college-town-glasses

LSU College Town Glass

Tailgating recipes for barbecued anything, Creole seasoned popcorn and lemonade with a kick, cold or hot dips, salads, sandwiches, soups, stews or chili, and tasty tailgating appropriate desserts always satisfy a hungry tailgating group.

galvanized-burger-holder

LSU-sauces

sugar-mold

A sugar mold also makes an excellent condiment holder.

whiskey-barrel-burgers

Whiskey Barrel Burgers ~ Recipe from Better Homes & Gardens

pumpkin_sheet_cake

Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Regional cuisine ranks high in taste and popularity with hungry fans, and the cook friendly one pot principal scores extra points for easy.

slow-cooker

boiling-gumbo

Places In The Home Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Gumbo or deer chili served with homemade buttermilk cornbread with pork cracklin's has Louisiana c'est si bon written all over it.

cracklins

Toups' Cracklin's

Ingredients

5 pounds skin-on pork belly

4 cups lard

Peanut oil, for frying

Cracklin' Spice (recipe follows)

Directions

Place pork belly skin side up on a cutting board, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
In a large Dutch oven, place lard and pork belly.  Do not layer pork belly in more than 3 layers.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently; reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until skin blisters and turns golden brown.  Transfer pork belly to rimmed baking sheets, and refrigerate until cold.*

In a large Dutch oven, pour oil to a depth of 4 inches, and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 380°.  Add pork belly in batches, and fry until puffed and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let drain on paper towels, and liberally sprinkle or toss with Cracklin' Spice.

Cracklin' Spice

Ingredients

½ cup ground chile de Ć”rbol

½ cup popcorn salt*

¼ cup ground white pepper

¼ cup minced garlic

¼ cup celery salt

¼ cup sugar

Directions

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

-Isaac Toups, Toups' Meatery, New Orleans as featured in Louisiana Cookin'

Fans are always looking for a way to celebrate their team(s).

Tailgating gives us a great excuse to get to the stadium early for pregame food, fun and fantastic times.

Fire up the grills and set the tailgating tablescapes, football fans.

It's tailgating season!

love your style

Tasty tailgating recipes for tailgating times are on my mind.

Our favorite team is picked, we've rallied our friends, and the ideas for tailgating recipes are flowing.

Tailgating is a parking lot or stadium grounds pregame ritual based on the principle of celebrated camaraderie and good food and drink shared among home team friends and fans.

Tailgating sets the pregame football excitement in motion.

tailgating recipes First Tailgating- Adams State Grizzlies vs. Texas A&M–Commerce Lions

As fall and football season make their collective presence known, the party atmosphere is everywhere.

Selecting tailgating recipes takes time and thought.

Dishes pleasing to the masses and the pocketbook as well as ones that prove easy to prepare determine many tailgating menus, ours included.

Here's the starting lineup of tailgating recipes for this season's tailgating times beginning with the pass a good time crowd-pleaser, Cajun Lemonade.

cajun-lemonade

Cajun Lemonade

Ingredients

2 cups light rum

1 (12-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce

1 (1-liter) bottle club soda, chilled

Crushed ice & garnishes:  sugarcane sticks, lemon slices

Directions

Stir together first 3 ingredients. Add club soda just before serving. Serve over crushed ice. Garnish, if desired.

Southern Living

Original_Abigail-Barnes-Paper-and-Cake-pub-pretzel

Pub-Style Pretzels and Beer Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

1 ½ cups warm water

1 packet active yeast

4 cups all-purpose flour (will need extra for kneading)

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1 large egg

½ tablespoon sea salt

1 tablespoon flavored seasoning of your choice (This recipe uses McCormick Grill Mates Molasses & Bacon)

Smoked Gouda and Cheddar Beer Sauce

Ingredients
Yield: about one cup

½ cup of beer (This recipe uses Sierra Nevada for its strong taste. Use a

wheat beer or blonde ale for a milder taste.)

½ cup grated smoked Gouda

½ cup grated sharp cheddar

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 ½ tablespoons flour

¼ teaspoon ground mustard

¼ teaspoon paprika

salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Place a non-stick baking mat on a cookie sheet.

In a large mixing bowl, add yeast to warm water.  Stir until dissolved.  Stir in salt and sugar.  Once mixed, add flour one cup at a time.  Mix thoroughly until dough is thick and no longer sticky.

Create a floured surface for kneading.  Knead dough for approximately 5 minutes.  Separate dough into even sections, about six.

Roll dough into ropes, making width even throughout.  Make pretzel shapes by creating a circle with the dough.  Twist ends and press down to finish shape.

On a plate, mix sea salt and seasoning together for sprinkling.  Beat egg in a small bowl and brush on pretzel tops.  Place pretzels on baking sheet, and sprinkle salt mixture on top.

Bake for 10 minutes.  After the first 5 minutes, switch to broil.  Keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning.  Remove from oven and serve warm with beer cheese dip.

Smoked Gouda and Cheddar Beer Sauce

In small saucepan, heat beer on low until it bubbles. Slowly whisk in flour, then add cheese (Image 3).  Whisk until smooth.

Add sour cream, mustard and paprika while whisking.  Add more flour for a thicker sauce, or more beer for a thinner sauce.  Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.  Yield: 6-8 pretzels

-HGTV

castella-salad-olives-1-gallon

Tailgating Olive Dip

Ingredients

8 oz. cream cheese

1  cup  olives, chopped (I use green salad olives)

½ cup mayonnaise

2  tbsp. juice from olives

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

1  teaspoon hot sauce, optional

½  cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

Soften cream cheese.  Mix remainder of ingredients.  Best to prepare the night before to allow flavors to marry.  Keep chilled during transport. Serve with pita chips or cracker of choice.

tailgating-food-ideas Better Homes and Gardens

Imitation is the highest form of tailgating tablescapes flattery.

flamin-cinnamon-cider

Flamin' Cinnamon Cider

Ingredients

8 cups apple cider or apple juice

1 cup red cinnamon candies, such as Red Hots brand

Thinly sliced red and/or green apples

Thin orange peel strips (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan heat cider over medium heat until hot, but not simmering.  Add candies; stir until melted.

To serve, float apple slices on the cider mixture.  If desired, top with orange peel strips.

-Better Homes and Gardens

Football.

Fall.

Halloween.

Thanksgiving.

From September to November, you've got a lot of themes to work with.

Home Essentials Copper-Finish Mixing Bowls, Set of 3

Home Essentials Copper-Finish Mixing Bowls, Set of 3

paper cone

caramel peanut popcorn snack mix

Southern Living-  Photo by Greg Dupree

Caramel Peanut Popcorn Snack Mix

Ingredients

15 cups popped popcorn (about 3/4 cup kernels)

vegetable cooking spray

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. firmly packed dark brown sugar

½ cup butter

½ cup dark corn syrup

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts

wax paper

1 (10.5 oz.) package candy-coated peanut butter pieces (such as Reese's Pieces)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°.  Spread popcorn in an even layer on a lightly greased (with cooking spray) heavy-duty aluminum foil-lined 13- x 18-inch pan. Stir together brown sugar and next 3 ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; bring to a simmer, and simmer, stirring constantly, 1 minute.  Pour over popcorn, and stir gently to coat.

Bake at 325° for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.  Add peanuts during last 5 minutes.  Remove from oven, and spread on lightly greased (with cooking spray) wax paper.  Cool completely (about 20 minutes).

Break apart large pieces, and stir in candy pieces.  Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Southern Living

corn

Corn and Black-Eyed Pea Saladaka Death Valley Salad

Ingredients

2 cans black-eyed peas

2 cans white corn, drained

2 cans yellow corn, drained

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 medium purple onion, finely chopped

1 medium bunch green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon black pepper, optional

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup white vinegar

Directions

Chop bell pepper, celery, purple onion, and green onions, add to large bowl. Add black-eyed peas,  drained white & yellow corn.  In separate mixing bowl combine sugar, oil, and vinegar, mixing well.  Pour over salad, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

four-chile-chili

Four-Chile Chili

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 ½ pounds ground sirloin or chuck

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large Spanish onion (1 ½ pounds), coarsely chopped

8 large garlic cloves, minced

3 large jalapeƱo chiles, seeded and minced

3 tablespoons ancho chile powder

2 ½ tablespoons sweet paprika

¼ cup tomato paste

Two 28-ounce cans peeled Italian tomatoes, coarsely chopped and juices reserved

3 cups chicken or beef stock or canned low-sodium broth

Two 19-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, seeded and minced

1 tablespoon dried oregano

Pinch of cinnamon

Coarsely chopped cilantro, for serving

Sour cream, for serving

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a enameled cast-iron casserole.  Add half the ground beef in large chunks and season with salt and pepper.  Cook over moderately high heat until brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes.

Stir and cook until most of the pink is gone, about 3 minutes; keep the meat in large chunks. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining meat.

Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the casserole.  Add the onion, garlic and jalapeƱos and cook over moderately low heat, stirring often, until softened, about 6 minutes.  Add the ancho powder and paprika and cook over low heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 5 minutes.  Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the paste is glossy and starts to brown, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, the chicken stock and the cooked beef and any accumulated juices.  Bring to a simmer over moderately high heat.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Add the kidney beans, chipotles and oregano and simmer for 30 minutes longer.  Season with salt, pepper and a large pinch of cinnamon.  Remove from the heat and let stand for at least 20 minutes.  Reheat before serving.

Serve the chili in bowls, topped with a generous sprinkling of cilantro. Can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and frozen for up to 2 months.

-Food & Wine

chili-spoonsFood presentation, especially when tailgating, should be fun.

These Chili Cook-Off Wooden Spoons from Personalized Gallery take first, second and third place in the category of how fun!

Louisiana-cutting-board Totally Bamboo Louisiana State Board

My Place Louisiana Appetizer Plates (Set of 4) My Place Louisiana Appetizer Plates (Set of 4)

cast-iron-serving-dish

Jack-Cheese-Fondue-100134722_w

Jack Cheese and Smoky Chipotle Fondue

Ingredients

4 slices bacon, halved crosswise

¼  cup finely chopped green onion

¼  cup finely chopped red or yellow sweet pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (16 ounces)

2  8 ounce carton sour cream

2 -3 teaspoons finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

French or Italian bread, cut into bite-size cubes

Tortilla chips or tortilla chip cups

D irections

In a heavy, medium saucepan, cook bacon till crisp. Remove bacon; reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in pan. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble bacon and set aside.

Add green onion, sweet pepper and garlic to saucepan.  Cook and stir over medium heat about 5 minutes or till vegetables are tender.  Stir in flour.  Stir in cheese, sour cream and chipotle peppers.  Cook and stir over medium-low heat until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.

Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot over a fondue burner or slow-cooker on the low-heat setting.  Top with crumbled bacon.  Keep warm up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Serve with bread cubes or tortilla chips.

-Midwest Living

hummingbird-cupcake

The Hummingbird Cupcake

Prepare cupcakes according to box directions.  Allow to cool.  Stir 1 cup chopped toasted pecans and 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon into canned frosting. Garnish with fresh pineapple wedges, banana chips, and pecan halves.

Southern Living

Plastic Beverage Dispenser

Plastic Beverage Dispenser 6.9L – Opalhouse™

easy-tailgating-punch

Easy Tailgating Punch

Ingredients

½  12 ounce can (¾ cup) frozen citrus blend juice concentrate, thawed

½ 12 ounce can (¾ cup) frozen berry blend juice concentrate, thawed

Orange slice halves (optional)

12 liter bottle ginger ale, chilled

Ice cubes

Directions

The Day Before:
In a ½-gallon insulated jug combine citrus juice concentrate and berry juice concentrate. Cover and chill overnight.

Tailgating Day:
If desired, add lemon slices, orange slice halves to juice mixture.  Tote juice mixture in the chilled jug.  Tote ginger ale and ice cubes in an insulated cooler.

At the tailgating site, slowly pour ginger ale down the side of the jug; stir gently.  Serve juice mixture at once over ice cubes

-Better Homes & Gardens

enjoy

Kevin Belton Apple Cream Cheese Slab Pie Recipe

Source: https://placesinthehome.com/category/football/