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La Cucina di Betty: Time to tailgate
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Anonymous user Tue Oct 3, 2006 11:24:40 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments It’s football season, and that means tailgate parties, which are all about family, friends and socializing.
Not a football fan? Concerts, soccer tournaments and other stadium events are also suitable occasions for a tailgate party.
This column is written for the tailgating beginner. Start out simple before you choose to go big. Tailgate parties are very easy to plan. Make it a casual event. The menu doesn’t have to be over the top. Potluck the party, that way you are not too bombarded with food preparation.
In Bakersfield, with the Friday night high school football games and Saturday night Renegade football, I’m surprised we don’t see more tailgating.
A fun and easy way to tailgate is to prepare all of your food at home. You can have your car packed and ready to go with non-perishable foods, paper goods and beverages earlier in the day. Then you can grill your hot dogs, burgers, sausages, ribs or chicken right before you plan to leave. This leaves you without the worry of attending to a hot grill after the eating is done and everyone is anxious to get into the event.
There are so many hot foods you can bring to a tailgate party! A tailgate party is not a party without a pot of chili beans. Chili beans can feed a whole crowd and are perfect on a cold night. Bring along some small bags of Fritos corn chips for the kids. You can cut along the edge of the bags and spoon the chili beans right into the bag and voila — they have their own little Frito boat.
There are many other hot dishes that work well for a tailgate party, like casseroles, stews, pastas and even simple nachos.
My favorite tailgating food is serving a pot of soup with garlic bread.
In December, my daughter’s soccer team plays in a two-day soccer tournament at the soccer complex at Hart Park. The event has turned into a huge tailgate party.  I always enjoy walking around other people’s food stations to see what they are serving. Our team loves my traditional minestrone soup — so comforting on a cold, foggy day in December.
Sandwich tailgate parties are fun! This is so easy because you can just do everything at home, whether it is an array of Italian cold cuts and cheeses, roast beef, tri-tip, turkey or even grilled veggie sandwiches — the list can go on and on. Remember to always make sure you have peanut butter and jelly on hand for the not-so-sophisticated “toddler tailgaters.”
There are many salad side dishes that work well for tailgate dining, including cold pasta, potato, fruit and vegetable salads. If you are making a salad that requires salad dressing, wait to put the dressing on until you are ready to serve it. You don’t want it too soggy.
You can’t end your tailgate party unless you have some desserts available. A little sugar high will make you the best cheerleader, whatever the event may be. Keep the desserts simple and easy to handle: cookies, bars, brownies, unfrosted cake, cupcakes — anything that doesn’t require a plate and fork.
Packing the car for a tailgate party does take some time and preparation. While the weather is still warm, plan on packing lots of ice and plenty of beverages. But remember the law: no alcoholic beverages at the high school games; canned soda and bottled water works best. But if it is a burrrrrrrr kind of night, a big thermos of hot chocolate or hot cider would be welcomed.
And don’t forget the paper goods! Make it very easy on yourself. Use everything that is disposable: plates, cups, utensils and napkins. Don’t forget the condiments and seasonings. Have plenty of paper towels and Handi Wipes. Bring chairs and a small card table and warm blankets if it’s a cold night. Most importantly, lots of large garbage bags. That way you can just bag everything up and deal with the mess when you get home.
My husband and I saw a big tailgate party that will be a lasting memory of ours.  At a San Francisco 49ers game, we saw a group grilling filet mignon and lobster tails on their Weber grill, while sipping on margaritas and rocking out to Jimmy Buffett hits.
I think they were confused, maybe thinking they were at a Jimmy Buffett concert? 
Looking back, that is a party I would have loved to have been invited to!
Now get yourself organized: plan your party, invite your guests, prepare your food and have some fun. Just don’t forget to eventually get to your event!

E-mail Betty at: jchicca@bak.rr.com


Chili Beans
• 4 pounds ground beef
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 29-ounce cans Sun Vista brand pinto beans with juice
• 2 29-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
• 15-ounce can tomato paste
• 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon pepper
 
In large stockpot add the beef, onion, green pepper and garlic. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.  Add all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Cook for one hour at medium heat, stirring often to prevent sticking. Add a little water if beans look too thick. Serves 30-plus.
Best if made the day before serving. These beans freeze nicely. Great companion to barbecue steaks or hamburgers, too. You may want to cut the recipe into fourths when preparing for six servings.

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