Football season is here and that means it’s time for another all-American pastime: tailgating. If you’re planning a trip to see the New England Patriots play at Gillette Stadium, don’t leave home without packing up all of the tailgating accoutrements to make your day a success.
It all starts with—you guessed it—the right grill! Fortunately, there are a number of tailgating-friendly grilling options to make for a smoking tailgating party. Some to consider include Party Kings’ Swing ’N Smoke Grill (retails for around $700), a trailer hitch-mounted propane grill with swing arm that lets you move the grill far enough away from the trunk so you can open the tailgate and access the trunk. Other possibilities include the Weber Q-220 Portable Grill (retails for around $200), which only takes up about three feet of space but features a seven-inch lid so you can grill a whole chicken if you want, and the Solaire Anywhere Portable Infrared by Rasmussen Iron Works (retails for $340 and up), a 14,000 BTU stainless steel grill that weighs just 20 pounds, so it can be packed up and transported just about anywhere. Another tailgating contender is the Char-Broil Grill2Go Ice Portable Grill (retails for around $200), which doubles as a cooler and is on wheels so it’s easy to move.
Once you’ve got the grill it’s time to think about your menu. Pre-planning and food preparation goes a long way toward maximizing your ability to enjoy your tailgating party. No one wants to stress out about not having enough food or feeling like they’re slaving away at the grill for the duration of the tailgating time without being able to actually enjoy the scrumptious foods you’ve prepared. That said, keep the menu simple and focus on just a few foods.
Satisfying tailgating meals include crunchy appetizers, such as crackers and cheese or creamy dips with crudités. Then, choose your protein: Popular selections include choice-cut steaks and hamburgers; pork ribs; boneless or bone-in chicken breasts, drumsticks or wings; and sausage, including Brats and Italian varieties and hot dogs—keep in mind that your main dishes don’t always have to be hot; chicken drumsticks and wings, as well as ribs can be savored at room temperature. Also, choose a couple of home-style side dishes, such as baked beans, potato salad or coleslaw. Keep foods that require refrigeration cold by placing them in smaller containers that are placed in larger containers filled with ice. For dessert, select tasty finger foods, like cupcakes, fudge or cookies.
Barbeque is always a tailgating favorite, but if you’re looking to spice up your party in a different way, consider having a taco and fajita bar. Place hard- and soft-shell tortillas, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and grated cheese on a platter and keep the sour cream, salsa and guacamole on ice. Grill meats, like chicken or beef, and let your guests build their own Mexican feast.
If game-day grilling isn’t your thing, you can still have a smashing tailgating party sans grill. Instead, consider featuring a sandwich bar. Lay out pre-grilled meats and vegetables buffet style so they can be assembled into a giant hoagie or a wrap-style sandwich. Top off sandwiches with savory barbeque sauces and mustards, which both provide a lot of bang for your flavor buck without substantial fat or calories.
No tailgating party would be complete without the drinks. Make sure you’ve packed enough ice for game day, and consider bringing a power inverter that converts the power from your vehicle’s battery into a 110/120-volt AC power source for any blended concoctions you’re planning on making. (The adapter also comes in handy if you’re thinking about making chili in a crock pot!)
Oh, and don’t forget the tickets to the big game!
Tailgating Must-Haves
Folding chairs and table
Tablecloth
Charcoal or propane for the grill
Lighter or matches
Grilling tools, including tongs, and stainless steel knife
Cutting board
Disposable cups, plates and utensils
Plastic food storage containers
Napkins
Bottle opener and/or corkscrew
Trash bags
Plastic wrap or tin foil
Folding chairs
Blankets
Drinks
Cooler with ice
Toothpicks
Pop-up canopy (if there’s a chance of rain)
Your favorite music
Antibacterial soap and a jug of water (for washing your hands before and after handling meat and other food items)
BBQ Chicken to Die For
The key to grilling meats is to make sure you’ve properly marinated them. For instance, chicken should stew in whatever sauce you choose for a good 12 to 18 hours before it’s time to grill at the stadium. Keep in mind that boneless, skinless chicken breast marinates quicker than bone-in meat.
Ingredients
• 12 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
Directions
1. To make the marinade: In a medium bowl combine the oil, lemon-lime beverage, soy sauce and garlic powder. Stir thoroughly until you have a good mixture.
2. Put chicken and marinate together in a plastic container and marinate in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours (6 to 9 hours if using skinless, boneless chicken breasts) before barbequing.
3. Barbeque slowly but don’t overcook. Turn frequently, basting with marinade with each turn. Cook until meat is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear. Discard any remaining marinade after use.
Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com.
By Laura Starczewski
