Tailgate Recipe - Crockpot Chocolate Candy

This recipe will make you the hero of the tailgate - it's so easy to make and is a sweet treat everyone will enjoy. Prep the day before, let cool overnight, and it's ready to be packed up and go the next morning.

Crockpot Chocolate Candy

1 package dry roasted salted peanuts (16 oz.)
1 package unsalted dry roasted peanuts (16 oz.)
1 package semi-sweet chocolate bits (about 12 oz.)
1 German chocolate bar (4 oz.)
32 ounces white almond bark (I couldn't find white almond bark in my local grocery store, so I just used 1 to 2 packages of 6 oz. white chocolate baking squares - tasted just as good, if not better)

Directions:

1. With crockpot off, pour both packages of peanuts into the crockpot.
2. Next add all of the other ingredients. Push some of the chocolate squares into the peanuts and towards the bottom.
3. Cook in crockpot on the LOW setting for 2 hours. Check after an hour and go ahead and stir what has already melted into the peanuts. (I had to cook a little longer than 2 hours to ensure everything was good and melted - it depends on your crockpot.)



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4. Cover a few baking sheet pans with wax or parchment paper (pans are optional if you opt to use your countertop for cooling - see step 5). Next scoop out small spoonfuls of the melted peanut-chocolate goodness out of your crockpot and place on the paper covered baking sheets.



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5. Let the candy clusters cool - either on your countertop overnight, or stick in your fridge for faster cooling (ready in just a few hours).
6. When cooled, remove candy clusters from wax paper, place on a plate and enjoy!

Recipe source: Food.com

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Tailgate Recipe: Egg Salad and Cheese Quesadillas

What to do with all of those leftover dyed Easter eggs in your fridge? How about trying out a new egg-cellent recipe. :)

We found this interesting (and yummy) sounding recipe from website Kalyn's Kitchen. Might not exactly work for a tailgate, but these would be delicious for a game viewing party at home.

**And just a friendly reminder, eggs that have been unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours are probably not be safe to eat. However, hard-boiled eggs will keep safely in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Egg Salad and Cheese Quesadillas
(makes 4 quesadillas)

4 hard boiled eggs
4 small size flour tortillas ( can substitute with whole wheat or low carb
tortillas if desired)
olive oil or non-stick spray for spraying tortillas and pan
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tblsp mayo or light mayo
1 1/2 tblsp finely chopped green onion
1/2 tsp. Spike Seasoning (optional, or use other seasonings of your choice)
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup finely grated cheese (suggestion: the grocery store's prepackaged Mexican blend of four cheeses)

How to Prepare
Peel and cut hard boiled eggs into pieces about 1/2 inch. Mix eggs with Dijon, mayonnaise, chopped green onion, and Spike seasoning. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spray or brush olive oil on frying pan and on bottom side of tortillas. Spread egg salad mixture on half of each tortilla, not going clear to the edge so it doesn't fall out while quesadillas are cooking. Top egg mixture with 1 tblsp grated cheese, then fold the tortilla to make a half-moon shaped quesadilla.

Heat frying pan over medium-high heat, then cook quesadillas about 3-4 minutes per side, or until cheese is melted and they are slightly browned. Serve hot, with salsa on the side if desired.
SOURCE: Recipe and all photos in this post are from Kalyn's Kitchen.

There you have it...an easy and delicious recipe to recycle your Easter eggs. This recipe includes a very simple egg salad mixture, but spice up the recipe and try a more adventurous recipe -- a simple search online for 'egg salad recipe' will give you a LOT of options to choose from.

Do you have a staple recipe you use your Easter eggs for each year? Share them with us by emailing us at clemsongirlblog@gmail.com.

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Tailgate Recipe: Sweet Tiger Tail Pretzels

Earlier today we posted on our Facebook page that today's theme was food! The holidays are swiftly approaching and that means holiday parties and meals...plus we have two away games and a home game left - which means we're not quite done with football parties and tailgating!

Clemson Girl reader Emily LaForce emailed us yesterday to share a sweet and very Tigerrific recipe that would be perfect for your Clemson tailgate. If you're an avid blog reader like we are, check out her blog --> LaForce Be With You.

You might also remember her from when she was featured on our blog last Spring for one of our popular Wedding Wednesday posts.

We're sharing her recipe with you today - all of the photos are from Emily's blog. Thanks Emily for sending this in!

Tiger Tail Pretzels

This recipe makes about 30

1 bag of Wilton Candy Melts* - Orange
1 bag of Wilton Candy Melts - Chocolate (you won't need the whole bag)
*Wilton Candy Melts can be found at Michael's and Super Walmart
1 bag of pretzel rods (try to pick a bag where most are not broken)
All vegetable shortening (Crisco is a good option)

• Melt the orange candy chips with 1/4 cup of shortening in a bowl for 30 seconds at a time and stir in between. You want do it on a lower power the first couple times and then increase it. If you try to melt it too fast it won't work and becomes cake-like.
• Once it is really smooth and viscous, pour into a tall glass.
  

• Dip pretzel rods in about 3/4 of the way a few times until coated. Lay them on the wax paper to harden. When you get down near the end you will have to tilt the glass to coat them 3/4 of the way. (Trick - if you want to make as many as possible you can use the broken pretzel rods by dipping in the broken end... they won't look broken just shorter.)

• Melt about 1/4 bag of chocolate candy melts just like you did the orange ones. Spoon into a Ziploc bag and cut off a tiny bit of the corner.
• On the orange part of the pretzel rods, squeeze out your icing 'stripes'. Just go back and forth to get the stripe effect.
  

• Let the icing harden before pulling pretzels off paper. (Note: If any of your stripes go onto the wax paper and too far off the orange part, then you can just break those parts off after they harden.)
  

And, voilà, now you've got yourself some sweet and salty Tiger Tails!

Do you have a tailgate recipe you would like to share on this blog? Email it to us at clemsongirlblog@gmail.com.

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Tailgate Recipe: Thirsty Thursday - Orange Cocktail Recipe

Football season is almost upon us, which means tailgating is also almost upon us. The first two home games are at 3:30 PM and the weather is sure to be toasty (please no rain!). So why not sit in the shade of your tailgate and sip a refreshing cold cocktail prior (or after) the game?

This orange margarita recipe looks so delish! Make the orange puree and syrup prior to leaving for the game and store them along with your ingredients in your cooler.

Blood Orange Margarita Recipe

*Makes one cocktail

1 lime wedge
Coarse sea salt for rim
Ice
2 ounces of tequila, preferably Sauza Hornitos
1-1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce orange liqueur
1/2 ounce simple syrup
3/4 ounce blood orange puree (see below)
1 lime wheel
1 blood orange wheel optional

• Moisten the outside edges of a rocks glass with a lime wedge.
• Sprinkle a little salt on a small plate and dip the moistened rim in the salt to coat it lightly.
• Fill the glass and a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup and blood orange puree and shake vigorously.
• Strain into the glass, garnish with lime and blood orange wheels.

Blood Orange Puree

*Makes 3/4 cup

4 blood oranges, peeled, segmented and seeded
2 tablespoon simple syrup
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• In a blender or food processor, combine orange segments, simple syrup and lemon juice. Puree until smooth.
• Taste and adjust amounts of simple syrup and lemon juice as needed.

Simple Syrup

*Makes 1-1/2 cups

1 cup sugar
1 cup water

• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Pour into a glass jar and cover, refrigerating until needed.

Recipe Source: Wasabimon

Mmmm!

Do you have a recipe you would like to share with other Clemson Girls? Email us!

P.S. We're working on compiling all of our tailgate recipe posts into one link so you can browse them all!

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Clemson dresses are so sweet

One of our readers sent us this photo a while back as a tailgate idea - how cute (and yummy) is this adorable dress cookie? Not only would I eat this, but if it was a real dress, I would totally wear it on gameday! :)

Just bake sugar cookies as usual - and form the dough into a bell or dress-like shape, bake and decorate. This would be a fun activity to get your little Clemson Girls involved in. I'm envisioning an entire cookie wardrobe of gameday dresses. :) Incorporate orange and purple icing, sprinkles, candies, etc. Yum!

Do you have a tailgate recipe or idea? Submit it to us so we can share it with everyone! Email us!

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Tailgating Recipe - From Easter Egg to Deviled Egg

One of my favorite tailgating munchies is deviled eggs - they are so tasty and we could always use a good serving of protein on gameday, right?

So with Easter right around the corner, I thought what better way to recycle all of those dyed Easter Eggs than to make deviled eggs...Yum!

I found this deviled egg recipe involving another tailgate fave, chicken salad on myrecipes.com and it sounds really tasty!

Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad-Stuffed Eggs


Ingredients

2 1/4 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
24 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled
1 cup mayonnaise
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation

1. Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Grill, covered with grill lid, over high heat (400° to 500°) 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until done. Let stand 15 minutes; cover and chill at least 30 minutes.

2. Slice hard-cooked eggs in half lengthwise; carefully remove yolks, keeping egg white halves intact. Reserve yolks for another use.

3. Stir together mayonnaise, next 4 ingredients, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl.

4. Pulse cooled chicken, in batches, in a food processor 3 to 4 times or until shredded; stir into mayonnaise mixture until blended. Spoon chicken mixture evenly into egg white halves. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

Do you have a tailgating recipe you'd like to share? E-mail it to us at clemsongirlblog@gmail.com.

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Baseball Tailgating Recipes

While regular basketball season begins to wind down and March Madness begins, Clemson baseball is just getting started...

Whether you're tailgating at an actual baseball game, or having friends over to watch the game on TV...these recipes would be perfect for a baseball-themed menu. Easy to make and take to your tailgate or serve at a party...these recipes will get you in the spirit of the game. Oh, and of course they sound very yummy too!

Click the photos or links to view the entire recipe...

Popcorn Snack Mix
This easy to make combination of popcorn, crispy cereal and salty peanuts are reminiscent of a crackerjack snack - just add your own prize. View entire recipe at allrecipes.com.


Buttery Soft Pretzels
For anyone who loves the mall bought pretzels, you'll love making your own with this delicious looking recipe. You can leave the pretzels plain, add a bit of pretzel salt or coat them with cinnamon and sugar. Then dip the hot pretzel in melted butter and coat with different flavors. These would be great served with cold beer! Yumm! View entire recipe on allrecipes.com.


Homemade Lemonade
Pretty basic recipe for fresh, homemade lemonade - takes a little arm work, but worth it in the end. Perfect for a warm, spring game. Add a little of your favorite rum or vodka to make an adult version - but drink in moderation. :) View the entire recipe on allrecipes.com.


Strikeout Salad
"This medley of garden-fresh vegetables, tender pasta and a homemade vinaigrette is sure to execute a triple play on your taste buds. The tubular noodles and round olives will likely remind your crew of bats and balls." View the entire recipe on tasteofhome.com.


Hot Dog Roll Up
A fun and easy spin on a classic, cheesy hot dog recipe using a tortilla wrap instead of a bun. Easy to make using your grill at the tailgate or your grill at home. Don't forget the ketchup and mustard! View the entire recipe on allrecipes.com.


Cap and Ball Cookies
Last, but definitely not least, for your baseball tailgate menu is the dessert...delicious cookies in the shape of baseballs and baseball caps. Fun to make with your kids and definitely appropriate for tailgating before the game. View entire recipe on tasteofhome.com.


Do you have any recipes perfect for Clemson's baseball season you would like to share on this blog? Email us at clemsongirlblog@gmail.com and let us know!

I just had lunch...but writing this post has made me hungry again!

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Tailgate Recipe: Fruit Skewers with Strawberry Dip

One of my Christmas presents this year was the "2009 Christmas with Southern Living" book (I also have 2007 and 2008). I love these books - they are filled with recipes and decorating ideas.

One of the recipes in this year's book looked very, very easy - and something that would be easy for your tailgate come next fall. But I also thought this would be something easy and light for your New Year's Eve parties -- and would be a perfect compliment to champagne... Mmm!

Fruit Skewers With Strawberry Dip

Prep time: 20 min.; Yields 12 servings

1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 medium Braeburn apple, cut into small chunks
1 medium Granny Smith apple, cut into small chunks
12 seedless red grapes
12 seedless green grapes
12 large fresh strawberries, halved
12 (6") wooden skewers*
2 (6 oz.) containers strawberry cheesecake yogurt (Yoplait)

• Combine pineapple juice and 2 Tbsp. water in a large bowl.
• Add apple chunks to bowl, tossing with juice to coat fruit.
• Thread 1 piece of each color apple, 1 of each grape, and 2 strawberry halves onto each skewer.
• Serve fruit skewers with yogurt for dipping.

Make skewers up to 3 hours before party. The pineapple juice keeps apples from turning brown.

*Plastic coffee stirrers can be substituted for wooden skewers if the points of the skewers are a concern for young children.

Source: "2009 Christmas with Southern Living"

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Tailgate Recipe: Tiger Breakfast Bread

With the Boston College home game starting at noon, your tailgaters are probably not going to want to eat hot dogs and hamburgers so early in the morning. So why not serve breakfast foods at your tailgate next weekend? Try out this yummy, easy Gorilla Bread recipe that I've aptly renamed (of course) Tiger Breakfast Bread. :)

Special thanks to Melissa Bland of Edgefield, SC for sending me the recipe. Do you have a tailgate favorite recipe you'd like to share? Email it to us at clemsongirlblog@gmail.com.

Tiger Breakfast Bread

1/2 Cup Sugar
3 Teaspoons Cinnamon
1 - stick butter
1 - cup brown sugar
8oz - cream cheese
2 - cans of biscuits (10 count)
1 - cup chopped pecans or walnuts

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, spray a bundt pan with Pam
• Mix the sugar and cinnamon together
• In a sauce pan, melt the butter and brown the sugar, set aside
  
• Scatter the nuts on the bottom of the bundt pan
• Cut the cream cheese into 20 mini-cubes
• Press out the biscuits and sprinkle them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture
• Take a biscuit, place a cube of cream cheese in the middle and fold the dough around it, then place in the pan, drizzle with butter and brown sugar mix
• Repeat above step until all 20 biscuits are in the pan, layer if needed (add more nuts in middle)
  
• Bake for 30 min. and let cool for 5 min.
• Invert onto a plate and pull apart to serve

Mmmmm!

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Tailgate Recipe: Clemson Sweet Mix Snack

This yummy and easy recipe will make you the queen of the tailgate - especially with the little Tiger fans. Easy to snack on at the tailgate and in the car on the ride home.

3/4 cup of brown sugar

6 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
4 cups of Corn Chex
4 cups of Rice Chex

• Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper
• Microwave the sugar, corn syrup and butter in a large bowl for about two minutes (or until butter melts)
• Stir in baking soda until it dissolves
• Stir in cereals
• Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring at least once
• Spread the mixture on wax paper and let cool
• Break into pieces once cooled and store in a Ziploc bag or container
  

Enjoy! Just be warned - once you start snacking on this tasty mix, it's hard to stop!

Try this recipe and send in your pictures for us to post to this blog. Or if you have a tailgate recipe you'd like to share, email it to us and we'll post it to the blog and credit you.

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Orange and Purple Cauliflower for your next Clemson Tailgate

A fellow Clemson alum, Joan Breitenbruck Stepleton (Chemistry, Secondary Education double major, class of 2003) sent me this picture of orange and purple cauliflower. She saw this at a farmer's market in Denver. Wouldn't it be fun to have orange and purple cauliflower on your vegetable plate at your Clemson tailgate? :)

The man selling it said that the orange cauliflower grows wherever white can grow - so surely there must be orange cauliflower in South Carolina. Does anyone know where to find some in South Carolina?

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Tailgate Recipe: Touchdown Taco Salad

Here's another simple recipe to try at your next Clemson gameday tailgate this Fall.

1 can of refried beans
1 avocado mashed with lemon juice
5 chopped green onions
16 oz. sour cream
12 oz. taco sauce
1 tomato chopped or diced
1 bell pepper chopped
8 oz. Monterey jack cheese with peppers (or cheese of your choice)

In a 13x9" pan start with refried beans and layer in order of ingredients accordingly ending with the cheese on top. Chill a few hours before serving. Serve with corn chips or crackers.

Pretty simple and takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Try this recipe and send in your pictures for us to post to this blog. Or if you have a tailgate recipe you'd like to share, email it to us and we'll post it to the blog and credit you.

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