A Tailgate Around The World

 It's tailgate time and that means , tasty foods.It;s a lot of the same old dishes  - namely barbecue and classics such as hamburgers and hot dogs. However it;s time to put some spice - literally in the dishes.

Tail gating already has international foods. There are hot dogs,  and hamburgers from Germany along with pizza from Southern Italy. Yet its' time to add a little more interest and a little more zing. Yes, the German classics are always welcomed and delicious when grilled outdoors, but think about another Deutch land  treat - bratwurst. It;s has a ilkd porky favor, richly layered with such spices as nutmeg, coriander and marjoram. Grill these and serve on a long roll with mustard or sauerkraut. Have it with a beer  for more of an Oktoberfest vibe. Currywurst is another German import that's perfect for tailgating and even fall barbecues.It has a both savory and sweet taste from a tomato base and such curry  spices as cumin and ginger. It's good on a toasted bun with a relish on top. For real Indian treats try samosas. These are crispy and fried (they can be air fried in the parking lot), This would be the rare vegan tailgate dish thanks to the samosas being filled with peas and potatoes. Another deep or air fried treat is falafel from the MidEast, This too is vegan and made from chickpeas..It can be served as a stuffing for pita or as kebabs.

If you're craving meat, then think of Chinese bao buns. They're filled with pork or beef along with soy sauce and lemongrass.Tacos from Mexico also make for good tailgate snacks. These can be filled with anything , from vegan options like beans and sliced avocados to beef , pork, chicken or shrimp. Bring squeezy bottles of  sour cream and salsa to squirt on top. Have containers full of chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese too. Ceviche is another spicy treat that's perfect for tailgate dining. This Peruvian classic is shrimp cooked in lime juice and often mixed with onions chili peppers and cilantro Enjoy with a good Peruvian beer like Piscal or  Cusquena.Another fun tailgating dish is from Italy. It;s antipasto skewers. Imagine the best antipasto  all on a stick.Think about layering such cured meats  as pepperoni,  and salami ,mozzarella, olives and grape tomatoes. For coooler tail gate days, think the Candian poutine, French fries and  cheese curds drenched in a hot,creamy gravy.The last is a thick beef stock while the curds are white cheddar. (you can sub in slices of cheddar with this).

It's tailgating season. Liven it up with international foods. They're a fun way to add zest and zing to the most American of gatherings.

Tail Gating Fancy Or Fun?

 Tailgating parties can either be downscale or up.It's up to you on how you what you want . A down home  tail gate is fun .Yet one thar's fancy and full of glam food also is a nice way to celebrate your team.It's all depends on your tastes.

What would a fun tailgate menu consist of? There would be wings. These are easy to make especially if you have a mini air fryer and there's some kind of outlet(there always is)> Wings and drumsticks can be marinated in different flavors like soy sauce and ginger or lemon and thyme. They can also be slathered with messy barbecue sauce for finger licking later. Dips are another fun dish to make and take to any tailgating party. One special favorite is the  spinach artichoke one in a bread bowl. You can buy special boules anywhere although Panera has the best. This is a mix of chopped artichoke heart,s, fresh or frozen chopped spinach, mayo, cream cheese and either mozzarella or Parmesan cheese Sour cream give sit body while garlic adds flavor. For added zing, try a dash of hot pepper. its then taking the scooped out bread and cutting it into bite sized squares.Any bread like sourdough or rye is good.Another dip is seven layer.This is a tasty strata of refried beans, sour cream ,guacamole,salsa ,Mexican beef (think taco filling)and lettuce. Serve these with warmed tortilla chips and a cold frosty margarita slushie.

Of course you can have elegant foods at a tailgating party too. Lidl sells trays of frozen escargot that can be easily heated up. However you can also make them from scratch using fresh garlic, good white wine, shallots and good European ,preferably French.It's first making the garlic butter using all the ingredients except the snails. Ground fresh parsley is also used. Press the drained escargot in the shell. Add a good blob of butter and press it down.Bake in a 400 degree Fareneheit oven for twelve minutes. Snails may be a bit much for some them try something equally as luxe. - filet mignon sliders. First marinate the steaks in a blend of olive oil, alt and pepper then grill on a barbecue. You can add onions or a slick of Boursin cheese on top. THey're good plain ,just as they are with their juices soaking the bun. As for the buns, brioche is the best choice for this. Another luxurious fancy sandwich is a lobster roll.  Ditch the mayo and  mix it with a melted butter/Serve warm on a brioche or French bread. Should you bring champagne to a tailgate party?You can also combine it with stout for a Black Velvet  - a take on the usual party brews.

A tail gate party can be fun and fancy - or even a bit of both. It's your party .Make it whatever way appeals to you.Bith are tasty and a great way to celebrate your favorite team playing.

Hot Fall Days

Thanks to climate change , we tend to have summer well into fall. Gone are all those autumnal dreams of Sunday roasts and freshly picked apple treats. It's time to get back into that summer mode of easy cooking and easy eating.

Tomato season may be over in some parts of the country, yet there are some plants that are still producing. If you're sick of of tomato salad, then think about using them in a salsa crudo.  This is where tomatoes are chopped and then marinated in  fresh basil, olive oil, and chopped garlic. It's then left to stand for a half hour as any type of pasta is cooked. The heat of the pasta is what cooks the sauce. Serve it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toasted and oiled Italian bread. You could also use that bumper crop of tomatoes in a cooling pan bagnat, the Southern French sandwich also consisting of tuna, anchovies, and  hard boiled eggs .Olives, peppers, and cucumbers are also added along with Dijon mustard and olive oil. Use a large round loaf of Italian bread for this. It's the perfect sandwich for an early fall day at the beach. Served with chilled cider .If the temps are still too unbearable, then go back to that hot weather fall back - salads. Create hearty chef salad ones for those busy weekends filled with soccer games and chores. Keep the barbecue out for those roasts.London Broil can easily be adapted for grilling. Slice and butter baste for a tasty spin on a Sunday roast . You can even grill new potatoes too, in foil packets.

What about all those apples you picked, anticipating cooler temps for baking? Use them. They make a nice snack , especially when you're trying to wean yourself and the kids off candy and cookies. They can also be baked in the microwave.I'ts just coring them , filling them with butter and red wine or caramel and baking them for three to four minutes. Serve with whipped cream or for a more refreshing vibe, vanilla ice cream. Another idea is just slicing them into wedges and serving them with an already made caramel dipping sauce such as the one from Marzetti. If you still are hungering for some kind of apple dessert, then think about the super easy microwave apple crisp. This only takes ten to twelve minutes  and there's no need to heat up an already hot kitchen with a hot oven.It's just sliced apples with a crisp topping of flour,melted  butter,  brown sugar and a combo of allspice and cinnamon. Again serve with vanilla ice cream for a cool treat.Apples can also be used in a salad. too. They are great with chopped celery and walnuts or with romaine lettuce, pecans and raisins. This is the perfect side for any early fall barbecue or tailgate party.

Don't let those hot fall days faze you. Adapt a summer mode of cooking and enjoy these balmy times. You'll feel better and eat better too.