Hey y'all,

This might be a bit of a stretch as being football talk, but I want to think that it applies to the game day experience. Been out of school a few years now and have just moved back to Boone a month or two ago. Needless to say I will be doing a little more consistent tailgating and throwing watch parties for the away games with friends and fellow alumni up here. I was wondering if anyone was willing to share some of their traditional game day to go recipes that really get you in the football mood? Anything that travels, serves and keeps pretty well when tailgating (didn't do a ton of cooking at tailgate in school)? Maybe even any traditional meals or things to keep ya warm on a cold Boone day. I appreciate any ideas and knowledge people have!

Personally, it's more fun to take a meat out to tailgate to cook. I am a little extreme, but if you aren't grilling at a tailgate, its just a picnic, IMO.

bigCasu wrote:Personally, it's more fun to take a meat out to tailgate to cook. I am a little extreme, but if you aren't grilling at a tailgate, its just a picnic, IMO.

And no Crockpots, right?

Crock Pots should not be used for cooking. Keeping food warm, yes.

bigCasu wrote:Crock Pots should not be used for cooking. Keeping food warm, yes.

What about when assembling a delicious dip or something of that sort? I do agree when it comes to those who "cook" like chili or something in a crock pot that there is a higher quality product when you cook at a higher heat and over a great surface area in a pot to better rendered out flavor.

StripedSquad18 wrote:

bigCasu wrote:Crock Pots should not be used for cooking. Keeping food warm, yes.

What about when assembling a delicious dip or something of that sort? I do agree when it comes to those who "cook" like chili or something in a crock pot that there is a higher quality product when you cook at a higher heat and over a great surface area in a pot to better rendered out flavor.

I think dips are plenty acceptable, especially those of the cheese variety that must be kept warm to be enjoyable.

If you must cook beforehand, something like Ham & Swiss Rolls keep and travel really well.

I tend to agree with Charles though, you need a grill or smoker or a hobo fire with some stick-roasted hot dogs at the very least to complete the tailgate atmosphere.

Tailgating is a learned skill. We started out with hotdogs & hamburgers; over the years, we've done lasagne, salmon, chicken, etc. Pretty much anything.

Granted, my equipment has gone from a simple Coleman grill, to a trailer hitch grill, gas baking over, 10 gal. boiler.

So far, I think my favorite is a low-country boil (shrimp, sausage, corn-on-cob, & taters) cooked in the boiler. (It's incredible in the snow.) But, we have some great recipes for salmon & a recipe for grilled chicken that can do double duty as "Grilled Iggle Thighs" when playing GaSo.

So, start out easy & simple, & you can grow into an expert at your own speed.