🏈It's Tailgating Time🌭

It's Tailgating Time.....

Who doesn't love the idea of getting to the game early for some fun, with tasty food and refreshing drinks! As a Wisconsin native....I was raised on the tradition of tailgating.......believe me, this girl knows how to tailgate. My husband has coached for 10 college football programs....and I have found that at some schools tailgating has been a bigger part of the Gameday experience than at others. I love where he coaches now, at South Dakota State, because there is an amazing tailgating scene. Here are some great recipes and new ideas to help you win big at your tailgate this season:

THE DRINKS:

As much as everyone loves to have beer when they tailgate,  I hate the idea of feeling bloated and full. Why not Sangria? I have been making it for years and I still get asked for this simple easy recipe. 

Sangria:

1 bottle of a sweeter red wine

1 cup of sugar

4 sliced oranges

2 sliced lemons

Sprite or 7 up (I prefer using diet to cut down a little on calories😉🍷.)

Put fruit, sugar, and wine in pitcher. Let sit overnight. Add your Sprite when ready to drink.

Another one of my faves is a Bloody Mary bar......I mean we all need to get our vegetables in for the day right?!?!😉. Garnishes like olives hand-stuffed with blue cheese or garlic, pepper jack cheese cubes, pepperoni, and pickles are the perfect touch. I like to use Absolut Peppar Vodka with a Zing Zang Bloody Mary mix--it has just the right amount of spice.

Mimosas anyone?? I like to freeze champagne in ice cube trays and have them in a Tupperware in my cooler at the tailgate. Bring orange juice and you have an easy Mimosa🍊💃🏼🍾.

Don't forget juice boxes, bottled waters, and sodas. I know it's sad.....but champagne is not for everyone.....plus we can't forget about the babes (kiddos)👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼.

THE FOOD:

I think it's always best to go with a proven winner on Gameday. And don't forget---it must be able to handle being out in the warm sun--especially during the early fall games. One of my favorite tailgating delights are cream cheese and salami roll ups. I got the recipe from a dear friend who is also a coach's wife (Oh how I miss tailgating with you Lindsay😉🏈🍻.)!

Salami Roll Ups:

Salami 

Cream cheese

Pickles or olives 

Spread cream cheese on salami. Place a pickle spear on top of the layer of cream cheese. Roll up and leave as is or cut into cute little slices. When using an olive roll the salami and use a toothpick to hold the olive on top.

Another great idea. Place Veggie dip at the bottom of clear plastic drink cups adding different vegetables in cup. Quick, easy, and a great on the go food to bring to your tailgate.

Also never leave out the kiddos. I make sugar cookies cutout in the shape of football jerseys every year. Frosted with our team colors of course---with the jersey numbers of some of our best players (Shoutout to 19 and 86.....and of course the O-Line!! 😉)

Another kid favorite (who am I kidding---adults love it too) is to melt Hershey's Hugs on top of a hard mini-pretzels in the oven, then adding team colored m&m's on top (you can order them on www.nutsinbulk.com, amazon, or other websites.) I've even found football shaped pretzels at Walmart....it's all about the details💛🏈💙.

THE DETAILS:

Since I mentioned it.....bring out your football crockpots, dishes, and I am all about this plastic wine tumbler that I so am ordering ASAP (who says you can't show some class--when they don't allow glass😉)

Also don't forget plates and napkins in team colors.....or mix and match football plates with napkins in team colors. Bring bean bags (cornhole) or a football for the kiddos to throw around. Plus it's always fun to make friends with those tailgating around you......I've heard Jackrabbits are some of the best 😉💙🏈🐰.

For other great recipes and ideas feel free to follow my Pinterest board "Tailgating Time" under Kimberly Eck. Best of luck to you all this week. Hope you win the game this week and at your tailgate💛🐰💙🏈🍷🍽