Favorite tailgate recipes?

[KayBee]

Someone suggested posting this question here… Am looking for something out of the usual (but not necessarily schmancy) for a tailgate that doesn’t require refrigeration or heat to be palatable.

This annual event always ends up with TONS o’ chips and such. In the past I’ve contributed:

Cheese - it was so hot the cheese oozed and looked really unappealing
Mini muffaletas - they went over well, but… I am now avoiding wheat (celiac)
Deviled eggs - unknowingly brought the go-to dish of another person and so I’m not doing that again

Ideas appreciated!

[lesson_junkie]

KayBee-it’s very Southern-I see you are in New York-but my favorite is country ham biscuits and champagne. The biscuits/ham are good at room temp, and the dry, crumbly biscuits and salty, chewy country ham are perfect with bubbly.

ETA-fried chicken, of course, but that goes without saying.

[Foxtrot_s]

Don’t most things taste better when cooled in a cooler with ice-packs, perhaps granola bars…Can’t imagine meats, chicken, eggs, salads, not being chilled.

Oh, 3 bean salad!

[rainpants]

Broccoli and bacon salad is one of my go to recipes. Needs a cooler, but doesn’t have to be super cold, just not warm.

2 heads broccoli (chopped into small florets)
1 lb bacon
sunflower seeds (1/4 cup?)
craisins (1/4 cup?)
red onion (some?)
coleslaw dressing (enough to coat it all…)

At tailgates where we have no power (though someone usually brings a bbq…) we end up with a lot of pasta, rice and bean salads also.

And tons of desserts (cookies, bars, cakes etc)

[Foxtrot_s]

Deserts are a food group - who needs the rest.

[KayBee]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8646151]
Deserts are a food group - who needs the rest.[/QUOTE]

Very true, LOL. But, in addition to the high proportion of snack foods, there is always a large measure of baked goods. So, I am trying for something savory and relatively “substantial.”

@Foxtrot's;8646001

Don’t most things taste better when cooled in a cooler with ice-packs, perhaps granola bars…

And yeah, things travel to the tailgate in a cooler, but then they sit out on tables for… hours. Depending on the weather, that can make certain choices iffy.

[QUOTE=lesson junkie;8645966]KayBee-it’s very Southern-I see you are in New York-but my favorite is country ham biscuits and champagne. The biscuits/ham are good at room temp, and the dry, crumbly biscuits and salty, chewy country ham are perfect with bubbly.

ETA-fried chicken, of course, but that goes without saying.[/QUOTE]

I could make gluten-free bicuits and ham… Hmm. Though fried chicken is more appealing to me, personally. (Can you make it a day ahead? How do you store overnight. Seems like refrigeration would kill the “crisp.”)

I like the broccoli salad idea, esp since it’s mayonaise free. I don’t know where I got my fear of mayonaise on/in things that either a) I (or my mom) have made or b) have been sitting out for a while. Oh well, we all have our quirks.

Thanks and additional ideas appreciated!

[MissMilly]

A potato salad with a mustard vinaigrette, instead of mayonnaise dressing? Or green beans done the same way.

A grain salad- cousous, quinoa, wild rice etc.

Another vote for fried chicken or country ham and biscuits!

[MissMilly]

My fried chicken secret (and don’t tell the Southerners) is to buy from the store it that day-on the way to the tailgate if possible. Put it on the fanciest platter you have and hide the packaging! Who has time to fry chicken before a party?!

[MissMilly]

Another idea…Sliced homemade roast beef (or a similar cut) with rolls and a few sauces. Horseradish is traditional, but a chimchurri might keep better in the heat.

Really any sandwich type thing, just don’t put them together so everything stays a bit fresher and people can decide whether to eat the bread or just the fillings.

Pesto (gluten free) pasta

Watermelon and tomato salad with mint and feta cheese (sounds a bit weird, but totally delicious and very refreshing)

[MissMilly]

Another idea…Sliced homemade roast beef (or a similar cut) with rolls and a few sauces. Horseradish is traditional, but a chimchurri might keep better in the heat.

Really any sandwich type thing, just don’t put them together so everything stays a bit fresher and people can decide whether to eat the bread or just the fillings.

Pesto (gluten free) pasta

Watermelon and tomato salad with mint and feta cheese (sounds a bit weird, but totally delicious and very refreshing)

[Foxtrot_s]

Is my invitation in the mail? Lifelong field hunter and loved the Hunt breakfasts and camaraderie.

[csaper58]

How about summer sausage, salami, pepperoni, and a couple types of jerky, all arranged on a platter?

[Willesdon]

Don’t most things taste better when cooled in a cooler?

It is not the cooler that makes food taste good - it is the champagne!

[Foxtrot_s]

^^^^

I stand corrected!

[SonnysMom]

How about a couscous salad or quinoa salad?

I have a salad most people love.
spring mix
goat cheese (Costco)
sweetened pecans
strawberries.

I slice the strawberries. About an hour ahead I add a bit of sugar (couple of TBSP) and a bit of water. This will make a nice syrup eventually. You can do it a few hours ahead. I prefer to not do it the night before because I think the strawberries then get too mushy.
I mush the goat cheese up over the lettuce, sprinkle with pecans, top with strawberries and syrup and mix. I use nitrile gloves and mush the goat cheese in my fingers.

The syrup mixes a bit with the goat cheese and that becomes the “dressing”. I use a good amount of goat cheese. I really prefer Costco goat cheese but any brand will work.

You can play with things to add to it such as mandarin oranges, blueberries, use spinach instead of lettuce. Use different nuts, add craisins. You will need at least the strawberries and syrup and the goat cheese so they mix to form the dressing.

For the pecans I either buy them that way or you can make them yourself.

I used to make them in the oven. Now I make them in a big saute pan.
3 cups of pecans
3/4 cup sugar
1 TBSP cinnamon
1/4 cup water
Stir in saute pan until the pecans gets toasted and are well coated. There will be minimal syrup left in pan when they are ready. Spread on a parchment covered cookie tray to cool.

[Lucassb]

Melon balls wrapped with prosciutto are a great snack - both refreshing and savory at the same time. Easy to make ahead, and pack easily into a cooler, but can sit out for a while with no problem. My DH makes these for our horseshow outings and they are a big favorite.

[2DogsFarm]

Lucasb, you & I are both “late to the party”
But anything with “recipe” in the title draws me like moth to flame :love-struck:

A couple savory things I do for horse shows:
Both can be made ahead & don’t need to be kept cold, cooler is fine

*Whole wheat tortillas, spread with cream cheese mixed with chopped chives or diced pimento & thinly-sliced ham or turkey - roll up, chill overnight & slice into pinwheels. You can add thin slices of cheese as well.

*Mini Hawaiian roll sandwiches of ham & swiss or turkey & cheddar or ???(your choice) - cram together in a baking pan, pour melted butter mixed with brown sugar & mustard over & bake until heated through. Served warm or room temp, not so good chilled

[vineyridge]

Dogtrot Danish. I’ll have to see if I can find the recipe.

[GallopingGrape]

I second the melon balls and proscuito… totally delicious!

[jawa]

Cold sides /dips

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/watermelon-salad-with-blueberries-feta-and-mint-50038289

Watermelon, blueberry, feta and mint…oh my. Yummy and add jumbo lump crab meat for a touch of extravagance.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/corn-avocado-and-tomato-salad-recipe.html

Corn avacado and tomato salad works great a side or dip.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/fresh-tomato-salad-with-onions-feta-and-olives-101981

Tomato, black olive, onion, and feta are great as a side, dip, or on toast.

If staying cold is a worry, take a large container and a smaller one. The smaller one is for the food, the larger is for ice. Put ice in the large container and nestle the smaller one with the food into it. It will stay cold longer.