Game Day Entertaining
September 1, 2018
Alabama vs Louisville
Auburn vs Washington
Fire & Ice
A menu of classic fan fare is a fine way to get Alabama & Auburn football festivities underway to kick-off the season in style. Raise a glass & toast the season with friends & family by offering a Classic Old Fashioned as a signature beverage. Since barbecue ranks high in the polls, it seems only fitting to take our regional icons & place them in the starting lineup when tailgating socials are in order. Honey-Garlic Smoked Chicken Sliders prepared with a North Alabama original, white barbecue sauce, will have fan bases from the opposing teams off their game when we show them a thing or two about how it’s done right. Alabama fans in particular can literally smoke the competition good once the honey mustard based seasoning combination is slathered over the birds. The barbecue can then be stuffed into split Game Day Brioche Rolls & topped with Classic Dill Pickle Chips & Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce for two bite sliders sporting a good dose of fancy footwork. The Tailgaters Quick Reference BBQ Guide & The Beginners Guide To Water Bath Canning & Home Food Preservation will be indispensable resources all season long to get you started. To round out the roster, Red & White Gridiron Onion Rings pair beautifully as a side dish. Get ready to cross the plane to sweet victory & host your best tailgating social to date with this irresistible menu that’s guaranteed to score big with both Alabama & Auburn football fanatics.
The Game Plan
A neutral color palate with a few linens sporting team colors tucked in add effortless style.
Fill in with a few homemade crafts such as Football Bunting to make the table look game day ready.
Keep the look casual by using wooden cutting boards.
The meat can be pulled from the bone once cooked & served directly on these hardworking pieces.
The white barbecue sauce can be made several days ahead of time.
The onion rings may be prepared in advance, if desired.
Place them on a paper towel-lined half sheet pan.
Rewarm them in a 350 degree for 5 minutes or until crisp again.
Create a bar area on a small table to serve the signature cocktail.
Prepare pitchers of them ahead & store in a cooler or in the fridge until needed.
Ice down additional beverages in wagons or tubs so guests can help themselves.
Sweeten the day by offering fan-favorite desserts such as Bourbon Brookies or Referee Cookies.
The Menu
Fire & Ice
Classic southern specialties ground this menu filled with team taunting twists. Smokin’ hot chicken sliders served on handcrafted rolls, fresh herb infused sauce & icy cold cocktails filled with loads of team spirit deliver effortless style & undeniable good taste.
Honey-Garlic Smoked Chicken Sliders
Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce
Game Day Brioche Rolls * Classic Dill Pickle Chips
Red & White Gridiron Onion Rings
Classic Old-Fashioned
Honey-Garlic Smoked Chicken Sliders
makes 16 servings
Run The Option
Smoked chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of tangy sauces. Try it with Honey-Ginger Barbecue Sauce. Top the sliders with any additional barbecue sandwich classics for a custom creation.
2 cups hickory wood chips
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
6 small garlic cloves, pressed
2 {5-lb} whole chickens
Butchers twine
Charcoal
Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce
Game Day Brioche Rolls
Classic Dill Pickle Chips
Soak the wood chips in water for about 30 minutes. Drain. Place in heavy-duty foil & make a packet. Poke a few holes in the foil. Set aside. Combine the honey, the mustard, the lemon juice, the salt, the red pepper flakes, the black pepper & the garlic in a small bowl. Tie the chicken legs together using the butchers twine. Spoon some of the honey mixture between the skin & the meat. Secure with a wooden pick to keep the mixture contained, if desired. Brush the remaining mixture over the outer skin surface of the birds. Sprinkle additional salt, black pepper & crushed red pepper flakes over the chickens, if desired.
Build a fire with the charcoal & push it over to one side of the grill. Add the packet of wood chips. Top with the grill grate. Place the chickens over the empty side to utilize an indirect heat cooking method. Top with the lid & adjust the vents in order to maintain a temperature between 225 to 275 degrees. Cook the chickens over indirect heat 2 hours & 15 minutes to 2 hours & 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees in the breast portion & 175 degrees in the legs & thighs.
Meanwhile, prepare the Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce. Remove the chickens from the grill. Let stand 10 minutes. Pull the meat from the bones & shred with a fork. Split the Game Day Brioche Rolls & top with the chicken, the Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce & the Classic Dill Pickle Chips.
The Extra Point
Try the chicken & Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce combination over a baked potato for a quick & tasty supper.
Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce
makes 1 1/2 cups
Run The Option
The sauce can easily be doubled as it’s bound to go quickly.
1 cup mayonnaise
1 large garlic clove, pressed
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, oregano, rosemary or basil
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp paprika
5 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp whole buttermilk
Whisk together the first 7 ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice & the buttermilk until well blended. Use as directed.
The Extra Point
Drizzle the sauce over quesadillas, loaded nachos or in sandwiches beyond barbecue for effortless weeknight meal solutions.
Game Day Brioche Rolls
makes 64 {1/2-oz} rolls
Run The Option
Stir together a lightly beaten egg & a dribble of water. Brush the mixture over the dough portions after the second rise & sprinkle with seeds, if desired, for a lovely variation.
1 cup warm water
1 {1/4-oz} envelope highly active dry yeast
2 Tbsp sugar
3 1/2 to 4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
3 Tbsp softened butter
3 Tbsp whole buttermilk
1 egg
2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 egg yolk
Stir together the water, the yeast & the sugar. Let stand 5 minutes or until foamy. Whisk together the flour & the salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the butter, the buttermilk, the egg & the yeast mixture. Mix on Low speed 1 minute with a dough hook. The dough will come together in a ball around the hook. Increase the speed to Medium & mix 5 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball & place in a lightly greased bowl. Spray the dough surface with cooking spray & cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in a draft-free spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch the dough down & divide it into 64 {1/2-oz) pieces. Shape into balls & place on parchment-lined half sheet pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a draft free spot for about 20 minutes or until an increase by a half their original size has been achieved.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together the cream & the egg yolk; brush over the tops. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the pan after 9 minutes. Cool completely.
The Extra Point
Hold on to this recipe for holiday entertaining. Fill the rolls with a variety of grilled or roasted meats from pork to beef tenderloin.
Red & White Gridiron Onion Rings
makes 6 servings
Run The Option
Place the fried onions on a paper towel-lined half sheet pan & place in a 200 degree oven for up to 45 minutes to keep warm. The recipe can easily be doubled to feed a large crowd.
1 large sweet onion {about 12-oz}
1 large red onion {about 12-oz}
2 {12-oz} bottles beer
1 tsp kosher salt, divided
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup plain cornmeal
1 tsp paprika
3/4 tsp ground red pepper
3/4 tsp celery salt
Slice the sweet onion to 1/8-inch thickness & place in a medium bowl. Add 12-ounces of beer, 1/4 teaspoon salt & 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Coat the onions & submerge them in the mixture using a pair of tongs. Repeat the procedure with the red onions in a separate bowl. Chill 1 to 6 hours.
Pour the oil to a depth of 1 inch in a 3 1/2 quart sauce pan & heat to 360 degrees. Whisk together the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, the flour, the cornmeal, the paprika, the ground red pepper & the celery salt in a medium bowl. Remove 1/4 cup of the mixture & set aside. Dredge the sweet onion slices in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Drop the onions into the hot oil, in batches, being certain not to overcrowd the pan. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the onions from the oil & place over paper towels. Toss the reserved 1/4 cup dredging with the remaining mixture. Repeat the process with the red onions. Sprinkle with additional kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, if desired.
The Extra Point
If you’re in need of additional instruction in regards to preparing onion rings from scratch, look to Buttermilk Onion Rings for details & photos to guide you every step of the way.
Classic Old Fashioned
makes 1 serving
The Basic Fundamentals
The recipe can easily be prepared in large quantities & poured from a pitcher to serve a crowd.
1 tsp sugar
4 drops bitters
1 tsp water
2 ounces bourbon
Ice
Garnishes: Fresh cherries & orange rind
Stir together the sugar, the bitters & the water in the bottom of an old fashioned glass. Add ice & top with the bourbon, stirring well. Garnish with fresh cherries & orange rind.
The Extra Point
Substitute cranberries in place of the cherries for a lovely late season variation.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Talk A Good Game Of Football
Learn some facts & get in the game. Be certain you’re up-to-date with the team matchups each week. While perusing the tailgating spread option with a cocktail in tow, it’s always a smart idea to have a few tidbits of information to offer when small talk beckons with Uncle Jebediah who’s inevitably reaching in for another rib. Here are some team facts & a smidgen of history to help you navigate a game winning conversation full of football know-how.
Alabama vs Louisville
Louisville may have clenched the win against Alabama in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl but the Tide holds the most victories from their three game match ups at two. The programs meet again Saturday, September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida with a kick-off scheduled for 7pm cst on ABC with the Coach Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide favored to win.
Auburn vs Washington
This will be the first meeting for the two teams. No. 9 ranked Auburn is led by Coach Gus Malzahn while the No. 6 ranked Washington Huskies are led by Chris Petersen. The programs meet Saturday, September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia for the Chick-Fil-A Kick-Off Game with game time scheduled for 2:30 cst on ABC.
etc
Game Day Entertaining 101
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The Ultimate Game Day Snack Mix
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Game Day Logistics 101: Kick-Off A Smashing Tailgate Season
Game Day Provisions 101: Gridiron Whiskey Caramel Corn
Game Day Crafts 101: Tag Football Sacks
Game Day Crafts 101: Gridiron Tailgating Bags
Game Day Crafts 101: Almond Footballs
The Tune
“Wild Night” Van Morrison
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Be sweet.
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