Tasty Tailgate Party

 
The Day Before

• Make Chex® Barbecue Snack Mix.
• Make Easy Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies. When cool, cut into bars for easy removal on game day.
• Make Savory Spinach Dip.
• Prepare veggies to go with dip; store in totable serving containers.
• Make Marinated Vegetable Salad; store in totable serving container.
• Set aside an area in your house or garage for gathering nonperishable items for packing; make a list of what needs to go in the vehicle. Remember serving utensils and grilling tools.
  

• Make Sloppy Hot Dogs in a slow cooker as directed in Food Fixin's tip.
• Pack the vehicle with nonfood items.
  

• Make Warm Cinnamon-Orange Cider (the larger the quantity, the longer the heating time will be); place in Thermos just before leaving.

•  Pack the vehicle with food items, leaving cold items until last.

• Fire up the grill.
• Set out the snacks and Thermos of cider.
• While Grilled Nacho Cheeseburgers are grilling, set up the dining area by draping team towels and adding nonfood items.
• Set out the side dishes when the burgers are ready.
• Give a team cheer and start the eats.

• Sports-themed and colored washcloths and towels can double as tablecloths and napkins for outdoor food fare and bound-to-happen spills. Guests can take their souvenir linens home, and you can say good-bye to cleaning!
• Plastic utensils are available in a rainbow of sports colors at discount, party and grocery stores.
  

• Divide into teams, and make signs for team cheering (bring plenty of poster paper and markers). Award a prize for the most creative!
•  Have the same teams create and perform a cheer: Go, Fight, Win, Hey!
• Ask guests to come dressed as their favorite player. Award a prize for the best costume.
• Crank up the boom box with favorite tunes or pregame shows.
• Have a checkers set with sports helmets? Bring it along, and set up a marathon contest.
  

• Make foods self-serve. This is an informal eat-as-it's-ready party.
• If budget isn't an issue, serve the cider in team logo Thermos mugs--another party souvenir, yea!
• Plastic utensils offered out of a plastic helmet add an extra fun element.
• Sloppy Hot Dogs is a good candidate for the slow cooker. Toss all the ingredients in a 3 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker (you can omit the oil), and heat on high for about 3 hours. Attach large rubber bands around the handles and lid of the slow cooker to easily secure the lid when traveling. Wrap and pack it with a towel or newspaper to keep heat in and the cooker steady during transport. Serve the food (right out of the cooker) within an hour, or plug in the cooker and set it on the low heat setting so it will stay warm for hours.
• For a cooler that matches the party theme, purchase a football-shaped toy chest (available at large toy stores and some department stores), or decorate the top of your cooler with construction paper to look like a ball field!
• Keep cool things cool and hot things hot. Pack hamburger patties frozen; they'll keep other foods cool and will be thawed by the time the grill is ready. Remember to pack the burger trimmings. Consult Keeping Away-from-Home Food Safe and Tips for Keeping Food Safe.