Country Kitchen:
Time for Tailgate Outings
By Mary Emma Allen
With the arrival of autumn, picnics in the form of tailgate outings kick
off outdoor events, such as football games, soccer games, hikes, and
other sporting occasions. The advent of the larger automobile, called by
various names such as ranch wagon, suburban, station wagon or van, made
picnics and barbecues in parking lots popular.
Some people look forward to these outings at every game. Others plan on a
tailgate party once during the season. Some meet in parking lots of
campgrounds or trail heads and picnic before a hike. Whatever you decide,
you have a variety of options about the food you choose to serve.
Simplicity & Advance Planning
Factors to keep in mind when planning your outing is keeping your picnic
simple and preparing as much as you can ahead of time.
*Plan your menu several days beforehand
*Do your shopping in advance
*Divide the menu if several people or families are contributing
If you're needing items other than food, such as folding table, chairs,
grill, etc. decide who is bringing which. Then load the car with all
non-perishable items the night before.
Handy Items to Take
There are several items that come in handy for tailgate gatherings.
*Jugs or bottles of water
*Possibly frozen bottles of water to keep food cold and then served as a
refreshing drink
*Plastic wrap
*Trash bags
*Plastic containers for leftovers
*Aluminum foil
*Paper towels
*Paper or plastic dishes
Menus
Your menu can be simple, prepared ahead, and eaten on the spot with
little work. Or, if it's the custom at a particular event, you might take
a grill and cook burgers and hot dogs and other foods at the parking lot.
Much will depend on the availability of facilities and what's allowed at
various events. Also, do you like to spend time cooking in the parking
lot or picnic area. Or would you rather have everything made up ahead?
I opt for the easy way out so I'm not frazzled by cooking away from home.
However, my husband likes to barbecue, so sometimes has brought along a
grill.
Whatever you plan, make sure you keep items cold that should be. Have
plenty of ice in your coolers. Hot items, soup and beverages, can be made
at home and kept hot in a thermos.
There also are the heaters you can plug into the cigarette lighter of
your vehicle. These might keep something hot, or even heat water for
making hot beverages. We have a unit that keeps cold items cold and hot
ones hot. Not at the same time though!
Make-Ahead Foods
These can include sandwiches, salads, casseroles, and desserts. During
this season of apples, APPLESAUCE COOKIES would be tasty and easy to
serve.
This is a recipe from my husband's family.
Cream together 1/2 cup shortening, 1 egg, 1 cup sugar. Stir 1 teaspoon
baking soda into 1 cup applesauce. Mix into creamed mixture. Sift
together 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, 1/2
teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir creamed ingredients with dry
ingredients. Add 1 cup raisins or chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped
walnuts.
Drop by teaspoons on greased cookie sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 375
degrees. F.
Article (C) 2004 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing cooking columns for 40 years. She and
her family compiled a cookbook to preserve their food heritage. She
teaches workshops to show others how to do this, along with scrapbooking
their family recipes.
Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
