(Maybe) OT - Good football food
Let's talk about something that everyone likes, and also something that is not voluntarymandatoryworkout-freakout-related.
So: what are some good things to cook during football season? As I have previously mentioned, chopping stuff soothes me during tense moments, but my game-time-food repertoire is not that big.
So far, I have on my list chili, nachos, and baked mac & cheese. What else?
(Bonus if you can suggest something that can be made vegetarian-style.)
August 30th, 2009 at 6:40 PM ^
I'm pretty basic when it comes to the food I cook on game days. Honey BBQ or hot wings, kabobs with marinated chicken breasts, mushrooms, green and red pepper, and sweet onions. Usually nachos w/chesse, but if I'm feeling adventurous, then I'll make a spinach-artichoke dip.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:42 PM ^
Buffalo wings. How they weren't the first thing you thought of is beyond me.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:56 PM ^
I've actually never had buffalo wings. *hides*
Like I said, I'm a vegetarian. (And even if I weren't, I can't cook meat where I live.) However, you've given me an idea - what if I did some kind of fried celery (tempura-d, or breaded) and then buffalo sauce? Would that be good? There are vegetarian buffalo wings but I hate fake meats, except for fake bacon.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:00 PM ^
That's possibly the best idea I've ever heard. I was going to suggest some faux chicken nuggets plus sauce but that is just brill. I have some friends who would be interested in how that turns out so please try it.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:48 PM ^
of breading and frying celery, you should get get okra and do the same thing. i think you acctually buy it at the store.
the problem with cerley is the it has a ton of water in it, and water and hot grease do not get along what so ever. you would end up with a wilted mess.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:53 PM ^
Hmmm. Something to consider. I've never eaten okra before, so I'm not sure if I like it.
Some kind of tempura-fried veggies, though, with a couple sauces ... that might work. Barbecue and tempura might actually be good together.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:00 PM ^
is like mini zucchini.....
August 30th, 2009 at 9:46 PM ^
Deep fried breaded okra is a quality side.
Deep fried breaded green beans aren't bad either.
I never heard of fake bacon but the old "Beggin' Strips" commercials are pretty sure you can fool dogs, so...
Someone posted about making a pot of Chili on another thread.
I'm thinking 09-05 is a great day to start Chili and Octoberfest season.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:49 PM ^
Green beans! Now there's a good idea, that sounds really tasty.
I am well-versed in vegetarian bacon (before I went veg, I'd also eaten my share of the real thing), and while the texture isn't the same, the taste is pretty close. Big part of that is because a lot of what we think of as the taste of bacon is the hickory smoked flavor, which is easy to add to the fake stuff.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:04 PM ^
I had them at Fridays. I've never seen them anywhere else.
It was funny watching my 4 year old daughter absolutely devour them.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:01 PM ^
diceing your celery into one-inch cubes and tossing it in a strainer with some salt, then let it sit so the salt can do it's work by drawing a lot of that water out. Then either give it a light rinse or wipe of the excess salt, bread it, fry it, and you should be okay. I've never tried to fry celery but it sounds interesting. Also, fried okra is the shit, good call on that one.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:16 PM ^
but it won't work. celery has to much water in it do that, it would turn to mush. celery is about 90% water.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:59 PM ^
I just thought of this, so you'll need to do some research, but consider celeriac (celery root). It's like a turnip with a subtle, delicious celery flavor. I love, love, love fried starches (especially tempura sweet potatoes), so I suspect you could create a solid celery/buffalo taste creation without the water problem.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:28 PM ^
I like to BBQ different types of sausages at our tailgates. Italian, mild, hot, spinach and feta, cherry/walnut & lamb... and then cut them up in finger food size servings for all to enjoy.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:40 PM ^
Yes! Black bean/venison chili is a staple in our house. Plus grilled duck/jalapeno poppers.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:33 PM ^
grilled, fried, or covered in melted cheese.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:50 PM ^
Not only is it delicious, but you can do so much with it.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:03 PM ^
Chop an onion into a can of refried beans and nuke it for 3 minutes. Divide it onto four tortillas on a cookie sheet, throw in some cheese and salsa. Roll em up. Throw some more cheese and salsa on top if you like. Crisp them for about 8 minutes in the oven at 400. Top them with some sour cream and chopped tomatoe if you like. Can be made low carb/low fat depending on wraps and cheese. Fricking delicious and filling to boot.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:07 PM ^
Try something sweet...fudge or brownies or something. No homo, I've done a fruit flambe a couple times using peaches and banana that's killed. When you get the brandy flaming...definitely gets people up. Pour the fruit and reduction over some pound cake and ice cream.
With the girls in my group, at first it was like we were twisting their arms to come watch the games with us. But then I started setting out mimosas and blender drinks, making flambes at halftime and now they dig it a lot more. I'm happy to do it for the greater good, even though I'm personally more of a beer and brat guy myself.
For reg foods, do some pasta salads - pesto, lemon cilantro, kick it up with some halved grape tomatoes and fresh parmesan. Good stuff.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:26 PM ^
Roasted Bronco this weekend.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:39 PM ^
there is no such thing as good football food that is completely vegetarian...in fact, there is no such thing as good food period that is completely vegetarian.
moving on to the main point, I'm totally with Brodie, buffalo wings are the way to go
August 30th, 2009 at 9:48 PM ^
1000.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:51 PM ^
I understand most people love meat and think it's a requirement for good food, but there's some seriously delicious vegetarian food out there.
That said, I'm a firm believer in cheese and other dairy products, and I really don't like fake meats. So maybe that helps.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:40 PM ^
Beef, refried beans, guac, salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, cheese, black olives + tortilla CHIPS = guaranteed mouthgasm
August 30th, 2009 at 9:49 PM ^
try this- marinate a flank steak (or London Broil) in lime juice and chopped vidalia onion for a day or two, then grill. Shred and serve with your menu, plus many fine Canadian lagers.
Outfuckingstanding.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:12 PM ^
With apologies to the OP's vegetarian bent, I've got the hook-up for great sausage.
In Dearborn, on Schafer just south of Michigan Ave., is Alcamo's Italian Market. Handmade sausage (garlic, hot, fennel, plain and breakfast varities) all for $2.99/pound. (About a year and a half ago they raised their price from $2.49/pound, where it had been since I started going there in 2000).
I am partial to the fennel sausage, which I grill up and serve at all tailgates. It goes very fast when you cut it into bite-size chucks and stick toothpicks in said chunks. Our group will eat as much as I cook.
For veggies, I like a variety of carrots (baby -- no cutting necessary), celery, cauliflower, brocolli and grape tomatoes. Also, spinach dip with rye bread in a bowl made of bread. Everyone's a winner!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:49 PM ^
I love these threads.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:06 AM ^
Hummus. Lemony and garlicky, with chunks of pita bread. Great finger food for tailgating.