Game Day Menu

[Fins4ever]

Any tailgaters or avid cooks around here? The wife and I have been doing game day menus for years. We both enjoy watching the games and having good food. I have an entire menu of game day foods, most of which can be made ahead or slow cooked in the crockpot.

Today, it is pulled pork with cole slaw sandwiches. I smoked a 5 pound pork shoulder using apple wood for about 6 hours and finished it off in the slow cooker overnight using a liquid mixture of diluted apple juice, coca cola and chicken stock. Comes out fork tender.  I also make my own tomato based BBQ sauce as well as a tangy N.C. vinegar based sauce.

[Brian Fein]

Sounds friggin awesome.  I want some...

[Jim Gray]

Do you mind sharing your recipe for the N.C. bbq sauce?

[Fins4ever]

Do you mind sharing your recipe for the N.C. bbq sauce?

N.C. MOP / VINEGAR SAUCE

2 cups cider vinegar
1 1/3 cups water
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup ketchup
2-3 tsp. salt
4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. white pepper

Combine all and blend in blender until smooth.


Here ya go Jim. Adjust to your own taste. I warn you, it is tangy (from the vinegar) and spicy from the peppers.

Another great sauce can be bought from a small N.C. company.
1-800-734-sauce (too many #'s but that is what is on the bottle). Have bought this sauce by the case.

http://www.scottsbarbecuesauce.com/

[Dave Gray]

Some friends of mine have started a new cooking tradition this year.  There are 4 of us and we take turns hosting the BBQ each week, themed to the opposing team.  We only do this for games where we don't go.  Host is responsible for planning the menu and purchasing all the food, but we usually help each other prep and cook on gameday.

So far, this year, we've done:
Texans - Texas BBQ Chicken + grilled veggies, Salsa
Jets - Italian Meatball Subs
Cardinals - Chicken Fajitas w/ Southwestern Corn, Skillet Queso and Southwestern Salsa
Cincinnati - Chili 5-way

It's been a lot of fun and has gotten a few dudes that don't normally cook a reason to look up a recipe and make some really good food.

[Landshark]

Some friends of mine have started a new cooking tradition this year.  There are 4 of us and we take turns hosting the BBQ each week, themed to the opposing team.  We only do this for games where we don't go.  Host is responsible for planning the menu and purchasing all the food, but we usually help each other prep and cook on gameday.

So far, this year, we've done:
Texans - Texas BBQ Chicken + grilled veggies, Salsa
Jets - Italian Meatball Subs
Cardinals - Chicken Fajitas w/ Southwestern Corn, Skillet Queso and Southwestern Salsa
Cincinnati - Chili 5-way

It's been a lot of fun and has gotten a few dudes that don't normally cook a reason to look up a recipe and make some really good food.

That's pretty cool.  Basing your game day menu as a culture theme from the opposing team's city.  A few more suggestions:

New England- Creamy clam chowder and Maine lobster rolls

Tennessee- Chicken and/or ribs with gold barbecue sauce

San Francisco- Ham or turkey sandwiches on grilled sourdough bread and Napa Valley chardonnay

Seattle- Starbucks Frappacinos and biscotti

Buffalo- Buffalo wings and Gennessee beers

Jacksonville- Citrus marinated cat loin 

[Fins4ever]

Some friends of mine have started a new cooking tradition this year.  There are 4 of us and we take turns hosting the BBQ each week, themed to the opposing team.  We only do this for games where we don't go.  Host is responsible for planning the menu and purchasing all the food, but we usually help each other prep and cook on gameday.

So far, this year, we've done:
Texans - Texas BBQ Chicken + grilled veggies, Salsa
Jets - Italian Meatball Subs
Cardinals - Chicken Fajitas w/ Southwestern Corn, Skillet Queso and Southwestern Salsa
Cincinnati - Chili 5-way

It's been a lot of fun and has gotten a few dudes that don't normally cook a reason to look up a recipe and make some really good food.

We tried that one year and it was a lot of fun. Would have been better to have more people. 4 is perfect. We did the home games too, but mahi-mahi got too expensive. lol

[Dave Gray]

I believe our next game is Indianapolis.  I believe we're leaning towards a very traditional, heartland BBQ.....like Steak and Potatoes.  But I don't know exactly yet.  Any suggestions?

I looked up some Indiana things and there were a few things like a cream pie of some sort and some kind of pork sandwiches.  Anyone ever lived in that area?

[Fins4ever]

Hey Dave,

Here is a web site for popular Colt tailgating recipes, hope that helps. As you can see it is a little old and even has a recipe from Peyton's mother. lol

 http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g37209-i281-k3358526-Colts_tailgaiting_recipes_traditions-Indianapolis_Indiana.html

I really like the idea of creating a game day menu based on geographics. I also use weather when choosing what to cook. I am lucky enough to live in an area that has 4 seasons so it gives me many options. By tradition, the first cold spell calls for chili.   

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I believe our next game is Indianapolis. 

Horse meat.   

[Fins4ever]

Horse meat.   

Taste just like chicken. lol

[Fins4ever]

With no Dolphin game this week, we are doing something simple.

Bought a rotisserie chicken from the store and going to make chicken taquitos and chicken noodle soup. Never made taquitos before, but it looks really quick and simple (my kind of game snack).

Seems all you do is make a chicken and cheese mixture (hot sauce optional) and roll tightly in a warm, small tortilla. Then you bake it. Serve with dipping sauces and / or sour cream. Should go great with salsa.

Anyone ever try something like this?