By Devon O’Brien
AmesEats Flavors writer
At every home game, the stadium’s parking lots are packed with tailgaters. Some have buses, some have cars and some just bring chairs. Yet, despite their differences, these tailgaters have one thing in common: food. Usually, tailgate spreads consist of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and beer. After a while, these foods get repetitive and boring, so here are some ways to spice things up and make your tailgate the place to be:
- Spices: One way to make your burgers more exciting is to add some seasonings to your ground beef. Incorporate a packet of dry onion soup mix into your ground beef. Form into patties and grill.
- Chicken: Instead of sticking to burgers, try grilling chicken breasts. Wash and trim your chicken breasts then marinade in your favorite barbecue sauce. Grill until juices run clear, and serve them plain or in buns.
- Cider: Instead of just having soda and water for your under-aged guests, offer them something more festive and warm for cold weather, like cinnamon apple cider. Buy apple cider from any grocery store and bring it to a simmer in a slow cooker with a few cinnamon sticks. Serve it warm from the slow cooker using a ladle.
- Hard Cider: For those of you of age, you can make a similar cider drink with an added kick. Mix one bottle of apple cider, one bottle of apple juice, one liter bottle of Everclear alcohol and a few cinnamon sticks in a slow cooker. Bring this mixture to a simmer and serve warm.
- Chili dogs: Hot dogs are inexpensive and good for large parties, so instead of giving them up, just add a few things ingredients to make them fabulous. Bring your favorite chili recipe to your tailgate in a Crock Pot with a bag of shredded cheddar cheese as toppers. This will turn your plain Jane hot dogs into spicy, cheesy chili dogs!
- Avocados: Boost the flavor palate of your sandwiches by adding sliced avocado and jalapenos to burgers, chicken, or veggie sandwiches. It’s a simple change with a big flavor impact.
- Homemade Chips: Chips will always be a snacking favorite at a tailgate. Instead of serving plain potato chips from a bag, take the time to make some flavor enhanced homemade chips. Take store-bought potatoes and slice them fairly thin (the thickness a normal chip would be) and lay them on a cookie sheet. Brush olive oil over the potato slices and sprinkle them with Lawry’s seasoned salt or garlic salt, or Parmesan. If it’s something that sounds good to you, try it. Bake them in a 350˚F oven for 10-13 minutes.
- Sweet salsa: Chips and salsa are another big hit that is here to stay. Amp up your salsa by adding mango or peach as a compliment to the chip’s saltiness. Simply add diced mango or peach to your jar of favorite salsa. Mix until the fruit is dispersed evenly and serve with your favorite chip.
- Lime: One way to spice up your tortilla chips is to add a little chili powder and lime juice. On a baking sheet make an even layer of your preferred chip. Sprinkle with lime juice and chili powder. Bake for 3-5 minutes, until warm and toasty on 300˚F.
- Get fruity: Surprise your friends with a fun, yet simple dessert. Combine store-bought whipped topping with a 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon and 1 tsp. of vanilla. Use this to top your favorite apple pie or seasonal fruit.
