I'm pleased to say that SBNation has partnered up with Captain Morgan to bring you a series of posts on tailgating. For the next few weeks, we will be talking about all things tailgating.......recipes, drinks, where you tailgate, who you tailgate with, etc etc etc. Pretty much, if there's anything to do with tailgating, we're going to talk about it, or give you the forum to discuss it.
I'd like to start this week by talking about the culinary side of tailgating. Now, I know a lot of you out there don't live in the Tampa Bay area and may only come in town for a game or two....or none at all. Consider this an invitation to talk about whatever you cook up when you're tailgating for whatever game you are watching/attending. I've lived in the Tampa Bay area since late 2006, before which time I lived in Knoxville, TN and learned quite a few recipes from tailgating with the Chilling and Grilling Club on the banks of the Tennessee River before UT games. Slow smoked pork, spicy jalapeno ribs, and deep fried turkeys are just a few of the great selections I've been exposed to over the years.
Normally, when I hit up Ray Jay, I like to keep it simple....burgers and dogs on the Coleman outdoor grill. I'll get into a good recipe for cheddar burgers next week, but I want to initiate the exchange of recipes here by sharing my wife's seven-layer dip recipe, which has been a very popular appetizer at whatever tailgate or party we bring it to.
Mrs. Craig T's Seven-Layer Dip
Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese
1 16-oz can refried beans
1 small jar of sliced jalapenos
1 can of sliced black olives
1 chopped tomato (or substitute equivalent amount of salsa, probably 1 jar)
16 oz shredded mexican-blend cheese
Cooking instructions
You will need a medium-sized square baking dish or pan. Spread the sour cream evenly across the bottom of the pan/dish. Next, spread the refried beans over the sour cream, then add jalapenos, black olives, and the tomatoes/salsa, spreading them evenly across the pan/dish. Lastly, sprinkle the cheese evenly across the top. Lay a piece of aluminum foil over it the pan/dish. Put it in the oven on 400 degrees and bake for 15-20 minutes. Then remove foil, and bake for another 5-10. Cheese should be bubbling and starting to brown when it's done. Serve with tortilla chips (and preferably with ice cold beer) and enjoy!
So, let's hear it....what do you all like to cook up and serve for the game? (Oh, and enjoy the scrumptious Marissa Miller in the video below).