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Food and Drink

Be a Football Hero with These Tailgate Food Ideas and Recipes

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Nothing beats a tailgate!

Drinks, foods and lawn games keep tailgaters entertained till the main event starts. However, if you have been to a few tailgates, there is one thing you already know: a good tailgate is far more memorable than the main game. I checked off one of my bucket list items with a trip to watch the Ohio Buckeyes play.  I had to have a party to celebrate that!

To throw a seamless tailgate

You need to select and prepare the food and drinks beforehand. Of course, certain foods like sausages and burgers are best grilled on-site, but there is no need to fret over preparing drinks or fiddling with food trays.

Below are a few easy tailgate food recipes for low-cost tailgating parties.

Crunchy Chicken Cheese Tenders – Tailgate Finger Food

Original crackers are combined with parmesan cheese to form a crisp coating over these chicken wings. They are great for the tailgate party or as a snack during the game.
Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: 6 servings Ingredients:
  •  1 1/2 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast cut in halves.
  • ¼ cup of multipurpose wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon of water Two egg whites, partially beaten
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • One teaspoon of dry oregano leaves 1/2 cup of ranch salad dressing or spicy ranch salad dressing.
    1. Cut the chicken lengthwise into 3/4 wide strips then set aside.
    2. Put some flour on wax paper.
    3. Stir egg whites and water in a shallow dish.
    4. In a separate shallow dish, combine snack crackers with oregano and parmesan cheese.
    5. Roll the chicken strips, one after the other, in the flour.
    6. Shake off any excess flour then dip into your egg white mix.
    7. Coat the chicken with the cracker mix, gently pressing it into the flesh
    8. Place the chicken in a shallow baking pan lined with foil or coated with cooking spray in one layer.
    9. Bake at 425F for 20 minutes then serve

Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches  – Tailgate Finger Food

Author: Greta Jenkins Preparation Time: Cooking time: Servings: 12Keep Chocolate ice cream sandwiches frozen until use.Ingredients:
    • One packet of soft round cookies
    • One ice cream container in your favorite favor
    • A bag of chocolate chips
Instructions:
    • Place two to three tablespoons of the ice-cream on one side of half the cookies. The ice-cream should be a little stiff.
    • Place the remaining cookies face down on the ice the press gently.
Refrigerate your ice-cream sandwiches in the camping fridge for two hours before the tailgate.

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip – Tailgate Snack Food

Tailgating from home should ideally involve guests having quick little bites. This recipe has a bit of a kick that balances nicely with the blue cheese” tangy creaminess.
Author: Greta Jenkins Preparation Time: Cooking time: Servings: 12Creamy buffalo chicken dip is perfect for tailgate parties.Ingredients:
  • Roasted chicken from the supermarket
  • 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese
  • A cup of ranch dressing
  • A box of crackers
  • One bunch of celery prepared and cut into four pieces.
  • 2/4 cup of hot pepper sauce.
Instructions:
    • Heat hot sauce and chicken in the skillet with medium heat until thoroughly heated.
    • Add cream cheese, stir and keep cooking till cream cheese is completely absorbed.
    • 3. Add crumbled blue cheese and ranch dressing, keep cooking and stirring till hot and bubbly.
Serve immediately with crackers and celery sticks. You can also leave the mixture in a slow cooker on low heat if you decided to cook before the tailgate.

Don’t forget the chili:

For a large crowd or just a few.
2 lbs. coarsely ground beef chuck
2 (16 oz.) cans red kidney beans,
drained
2 (14 1/2 oz.) cans tomatoes, drained
2 med. onions, coarsely chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and coarsely
chopped
2 cloves garlic, peel and crushed
2-3 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large, preferably non-stick, saucepan brown the chuck and drain off the fat. Put the ground beef and other ingredients in a 3 1/2 to 4-quart crockpot. If you have a small crockpot, cut the recipe in half. Stir well. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours. Makes 12 cups of chili.

Video with 9 more  Tailgate recipes

Tailgate Tips:

Park near a landmark

It takes more than copious amounts of finger-licking food and beverages to plan a memorable tailgate party. The location you choose to hold the party should also be a big consideration when planning the tailgate. Park near a unique landmark and the party will linger in your memories for longer. Besides, it will be easier for your guests to find you. Guests only need to spot the landmark in order to locate the tailgate.

 Crack open a cold one

Everyone at the tailgate expects the food to be hot and the beverages cold. Moreover, you will also be responsible for food safety if you are bringing food. It is therefore essential to bring a good cooler to keep the drinks cool and the meats chilled. Some of these coolers can keep ice for up to five days. With inbuilt cup holders, it is easy o see why these fridges are super convenient to bring along to every tailgate.

Try these Spiked Hot Chocolate Drink Recipes for adults on cold weather game days. Huge list of 60 fun things to do this Fall      

Food and Drink, Ireland

Savour Howth – Ireland ’s Seascapes and Scrumptious Seafood

Howth the seafood culinary capital of Ireland

We stopped in Howth on the way from Dublin to Belfast on day 5  of our driving tour of Ireland.

Howth, Ireland Harbor

The Howth Peninsula is just 20 minutes from Dublin’s City Centre so it is an easy day trip from Dublin. It offers lovely hill and seascape views. The Howth harbour area is the perfect place to set up an easel or photograph that seascape you always wanted for your home. Hike the Cliff Walk for magnificent views of the harbour and beach.

Well known as the seafood culinary capital of Ireland, there are many restaurants to choose from, most with lovely views of the harbor as well. Even if you only get fish and chips it will be some of the best you have ever had.

Howth Cliff Walk

The Howth cliff walk is a 2-hour loop on a well-marked and trail. You will see views of Dublin Bay, and rugged coastlines and cliffs. Plus you will get a birds-eye view of the Howth Harbour Lighthouse.

Wildlife often is seen on the cliff walk in sea birds and grey seals. Stop by a local restaurant or pub en route as well as at the end of the trail.

Things to do:

  • Explore the harbor
  • Take a drive around the peninsula to see the views and majestic homes built along the coast.
  • Stop by the Vintage Radio Museum and
  • Visit Ireland’s oldest inhabited castle with Aideen’s Grave.
  • Book a boat trip
  • Go scuba diving
  • Have a sailing adventure

Visit the Doghouse coffee shop on in the harbor area drinks and unique decor which brings the indoors outside. It has a large outdoor area with a double bed in the middle and seating areas all around. There is a roof so you are sheltered in case rainy Irish eater approaches. There are patio heaters that keep you warm too. Very nice atmosphere.

Aqua Restaurant – Awesome harbour view. Best ever cod, oysters, smoked fish and crab claws and the seafood chowder was amazing. Reservations recommended.

Abbey Tavern – Traditional Irish Pub with live music and dancing. Welcoming place with lots of memorabilia.  The food is good from chowder to steaks you can’t o wrong.

O’Connells Howth   Water service for boaters, great views fo the harbour. Try the seafood or pasta dishes all delicious. it a traditional Irish Pub with music and dancing

Next on our driving tour of Ireland: Belfast

Colorado, Food and Drink, Seasonal Activities, USA Vacations

Fall in Colorado – Unforgettable Adventures and Can’t Miss Events

Fall Colors in Colorado  via Train in Leadville

There’s no better time to visit the Centennial State than during the fall months. The days are sunny and warm, while the nights are cool and crisp. Across all four corners of the state, the landscape shimmers with a vast array of fall colors. Below is a sampling of the best outdoor adventures and events to enjoy Colorado’s brilliant fall foliage.

Images from the sky ( drone) of Colorado in the Fall.


COLORADO LEAF PEEPING ADVENTURES:

Four-Wheel Among the Aspens on the Alpine Loop Scenic & Historic Byway:  Travelers equipped with four-wheel drive can head to the Alpine Loop Scenic and Historic Byway, connecting the mountain towns of Ouray, Silverton and Lake City. This rugged route has hiking and mountain biking trails galore, a rich mining history and unfettered views of shimmering aspen leaves and 14,000-foot peaks.

Search for Gold on Breckenridge’s Singletrack: The Breckenridge fall trails of the French Gulch pass through Breckenridge’s “Golden Horseshoe,” one of Colorado’s most fertile mining regions. The initial gold strikes here in 1859 gave birth to the town and, for most of the next century, Breckenridge’s fortunes were largely driven by the Golden Horseshoe’s output. Today, the French Gulch Road area offers a number of singletrack options, several that pass by old mining remains and groves of changing aspens, that make for a beautiful autumn ride or hike.

Soak in the Colors at Glenwood Hot Springs: With high country colors at their showy peak, fall is one of the best seasons to visit Glenwood Hot Springs, the world’s largest hot springs pool. The 130-year-old resort is unveiling a major renovation this year that includes an Adventure River, with fast-moving waters with cascading tiers and boulders, and a new children’s play area that’s equipped with mini water slides and a fun splash pad.

Take A Colorful Fall Road Trip Along the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway: The 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic Byway leads travelers to the top of Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world, and into the fall-color-saturated Grand Mesa National Forest.  From there, drivers can explore Cedaredge, replete with apple orchards and groves of white ash.

Round Up the Herd at Latigo Ranch: The ultimate dude and guest ranch experience, Latigo Ranch near Kremmling invites visitors to participate in its annual fall cattle roundup. Held the third week in September, participants will help local cattle ranchers gather their herds, bring them home and move them from place to place on their home ranches, all while experiencing the area’s outstanding fall colors.

Hop Aboard the Fall Color Train in Leadville: Train enthusiasts can ride up into the San Isabel National Forest aboard the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad where the mountains are ablaze with yellow, orange and red. The train departs daily at 1 p.m. on weekdays in the fall and offers photo weekend specials. These three-hour rides allow visitors to experience untouched wilderness in its autumn beauty, the headwaters of the Arkansas River Valley and sweeping vistas of Colorado’s two highest peaks, Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive.

Climb to Colorful Heights at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park: The Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City, the highest suspension bridge in America, marks its 90th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the park opened a brand new Via Ferrata climbing experience. All climbs are led by a trained mountain guide who will show participants the breathtaking beauty of the park from new heights.

Take A Wild Hike in State Forest State Park: Located near Walden, State Forest State Park is considered the moose-viewing capital of Colorado with some 600 of Bullwinkle’s buddies roaming free. Fall is prime moose viewing season, and wilderness access is easy for visitors who start at the Moose Visitor Center.

Soar Above the Trees in Steamboat: For travelers who have a hot-air balloon ride on their bucket list, Steamboat is the place and fall is the time of year to do it. Wild West Balloon Adventures will have guests gliding above Steamboat Springs’ color-soaked fall scenery with views of the Flat Top Mountains and Hanh’s Peak, an inactive volcano.

COLORADO’S NOT-TO-MISS FALL EVENTS:

Fall Tarantula Migration on the Comanche National Grassland, La Junta, Sept.-Oct.: Each fall, Colorado’s Arkansas Valley becomes an arachnophobe’s nightmare. During this time, thousands of tarantulas migrate through the area during their mating season. Generally, this peaks sometime in mid-October. The best place to spot this natural phenomenon is on Highway 71, just north of Ordway, as well as on Highway 109, between La Junta and the town of Kim.

ArtoCade, Trinidad, Sept. 13-14: Trinidad’s delightfully quirky ArtoCade will roll through historic downtown in a parade of “artfully enhanced” cars, motorcycles, bikes, trikes, scooters, tractors and golf carts. There’s a lot packed into the two-day festival including an ArtoKids booth for hands-on kiddie fun, a circus-like dance party called Cardango and meet-and-greets with the event’s “artists.”

Pedal the Plains, Sept. 13-15:Pedal the Plains is more than a bicycle tour; it’s a traveling party packed with boot-stomp’n live music, beer gardens, delicious locally sourced food, interactive educational exhibits and a touch of country fun. The 2019 ride host communities include Holly, Springfield, and Lamar.

Snowmass Wine Festival, Snowmass, Sept. 14: A long-standing fall tradition, the Snowmass Wine Festival features a weekend of wine tasting and pairing dinners hosted by the Rotary Club of Snowmass Village. Friday evening features a wine pairing dinner, while the Saturday highlight is a three-hour grand tasting event with wines from all over the world.

Historic OHV Tour, Buena Vista, Sept. 17-21: Riders will experience four days of self-guided tours through the awe-inspiring backcountry of the Collegiate Peaks range with 12 14,000-foot mountains during Buena Vista’s OHV Fall Color Tour, Sept. 17-21, 2019. Participants will immerse themselves in the fall foliage during these self-guided tours and will also explore old mining camps and ghost towns via high mountain passes where gold and silver ore were carried by mule wagons to the railroads.

FORToberfest, Fort Collins, Sept. 21: Fortoberfest, Downtown Fort Collins’ last music festival of the summer, features a full day of live music on the Choice Organics stage, seasonal microbrews from Odell and High Country Beverage, wine from Wilbur’s Total Beverage and regional German-themed cuisine.

Mountain Harvest Festival, Paonia, Sept. 26-29: Head to Paonia to celebrate this everything-local harvest. From agricultural producers to artists, writers and crafters, this is a truly local event. Live music will be playing throughout the four-day event, and there is a Friday night pub crawl. Plus, enjoy all the fall colors along the way to the Western Slope.

Elk Fest, Estes Park, Sept. 29–30: The beautifully haunting bugle of a bull elk is unmistakable, and spectators head to Estes Park every autumn to experience the phenomenon. The elk gather there, at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, to show off for their ladies during the start of the rutting (breeding) season. At Elk Fest, visitors can learn about these beasts’ behavior, observe them in their natural habitat, participate in a bugling contest and see performances by American Indians.

La Veta Oktoberfest, La Veta, Oct. 5: Beer, music and fall foliage all converge during La Veta’s Oktoberfest. This downtown street fair also features a car show, dancing, and more than 60 arts and crafts vendors.

Old West Fest, Ridgway, Oct. 11-13:2019 marks the 50th anniversary of True Grit, the movie that earned John Wayne his only Academy Award and was filmed in Ridgway and Ouray County in 1968. The first annual Ridgway Old West Fest will celebrate Ridgway’s brief transformation into Fort Smith, Arkansas half a century ago. Festivities will highlight Ridgway’s film, ranching, and railroad heritage and celebrate Western arts and culture.

Dairy Block Fall Flannel Festival, Denver, Oct. 20:  Dairy Block and Denver Milk Market will again celebrate the changing of the seasons with the second annual Fall Flannel Festival on Sunday, Oct. 20. This free community event, held in the Alley at Dairy Block, will feature a festive line-up of events for all ages, including face painting and balloon art, live music, games, an urban pumpkin patch, a live pumpkin carving artist and more.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Manitou Springs, Oct. 26: The Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Parade is an annual event held just days before Halloween. The rules are very simple: form a team with one “Emma” in a coffin and four “runners” dressed in the most creative costumes and have them race toward the finish line. It’s an uncanny and crazy spectacle for everybody’s amusement

More:

Big list of things to do in the winter in Colorado plus skiing