Tailgating in Your Living Room

I own a Tailgate.
You know; that door thing that’s hinged at the bottom and sits at the back of a Pickup Truck. My tailgate sits in the garage. However, there’s no Truck attached to it. It’s just a tailgate. That’s ironic, don’t cha think?

The State of California Gross Polluter Law took the truck, but the Tailgate I kept. “Why” you might ask; do I have a tailgate sitting in my garage with no truck? I don’t know exactly. Maybe it’s because intense memories form attachments.
Maybe it’s because that tailgate holds adrenaline charged memories of my teaching four teenage daughters to drive a stick shift. And when it was still attached to a Nissan Pickup, my wife and I made memories and used that tailgate for a picnic or two in the country. In America we call that “Tailgating”.

In our American culture Tailgates have almost become iconic. They represent a type of game day, supersized outdoor picnic that usually revolves around sporting games; particularly American Football. Dishes consist heavily of grilled meats and treats that will cause traffic jams in your arteries. Hardcore Tailgaters have been known to bring their entire living rooms, including their Lazy Boy recliners to stadium parking lots. Interestingly, this American ritual in it’s many forms is about bonding. Tailgating events actually form social connections with friends, family and fellow football loving people. It’s the perfect union of food, fun and fellowship. As we say in California, it’s our chance to hang out; our chance to chill with one another.

This year we will have our annual Super Bowl party. Of the 20 or so people who will be here, more than half couldn’t care less about the game. And of those of us that do, none of our teams even made the playoffs. The Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49er’s, San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys are all watching the game at home like us. Here’s irony; this year’s Super Bowl is in Dallas at the Cowboy Stadium. So then, why get together?Because it’s a chance to show the love. Tailgate parties are about building your neighborhood of friends. It’s about making connections and celebrating old and new relationships.

So we are tailgating in our living room. Party on people!

Who cares if you understand that silly game? Text, Facebook & shout at a few people and throw a Tailgate party right there in your living room this year. The Super Bowl is as good an excuse as you will ever find. It really doesn’t matter if you like football or not. It’s all about building your neighborhood of friends.

So if you need a little inspiration, or something special to spice up your living room party décor; you can always borrow my Tailgate. It’s right out there in my garage.But remember, it doesn’t come with a truck.

Now go Explore!

Following are some of our very own recipes that we have for our Tailgating in our Living Room Parties:

Brown Sugar Daddies Recipe

Bacon and sugar? What’s not to love? That’s a couple that didn’t need Match.com to discover their compatibility. Here’s my version of it.

• Take 1 pound sliced bacon

• And 1 cup brown sugar

 • And 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Combine the brown sugar and the Dijon mustard in a large plastic zip-top bag. Add your bacon. Then toss with attitude!
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a cooling rack on the lined baking sheet. Put bacon on the rack and take the remaining mix from the plastic zip lock bag and press it onto the bacon. Roast those Brown Sugar Daddies in oven for 25 minutes. Let drain. And keep a rolled newspaper nearby. You may have to fend off early nibblers.

Nana’s Nachos Recipe
This is a real crowd favorite; especially our crowd. Great nachos are about great ingredients. We serve it Nachos Bar style. We often serve seasoned ground beef, but these nachos are so great, no meat is required.
• Tortilla chips - extra thick
• Pinto beans. You can always buy canned refried beans, but you haven’t eaten beans like those that are made fresh. Nana makes them. We eat them. Consider trying to make them yourself. They are easy and they will make your Nachos unforgettable. Email me if you want the recipe.
• Que Bueno! Nacho Cheese Sauce. This natural cheddar cheese sauce is thick and creamy. And it’s spiced just enough with pieces of jalapeno peppers and green chilies to make your taste buds dance the salsa.
• Side garnishes that you can include are sliced pickled jalapeno peppers, chopped Cilantro, sour cream, diced tomatoes, salsa and guacamole

Okay, enjoy!
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