Tailgate Recipe - Cracker Jacks

Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd......Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks....

Mmm...crackerjacks!

Why not make your own to take with you to your baseball tailgate?

Crunchy Caramel Corn

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter, plus a little more for the baking sheet
10 cups plain unsalted popped (from 1/2 cup kernels or a 3.3 oz bag microwave popcorn) popcorn
1 cup cashews, coarsely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
Coarse salt

 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter a large rimmed baking sheet; set aside. Place popcorn in a large bowl; if using cashews, add to bowl and toss to combine. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss.
• Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes. Transfer hot popcorn to parchment-paper-lined baking sheet; let cool. **Store in airtight container up to 1 week.

Recipe Source: MarthaStewart.com

Tailgate Recipe - Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

With the week I'm having, I need a sweet pick-me-up...and I'm seriously craving something sweet and salty - the best combo. These Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites look like just the prescription I need and look so easy to make. Yum! These would be great at any Clemson tailgate, or perhaps a sweet treat for your Valentine next month!

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Ingredients
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup, plus 1 tbsp confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon room temperature unsalted butter
1 cup pretzels, crushed
5 ounces melted milk chocolate

Directions: Stir together peanut butter, confectioners sugar, unsalted butter, and the crushed pretzels. Roll into 1″ balls. Freeze for 30 minutes, or until firm. Melt chocolate over low heat. Dip balls into melted milk chocolate, and refrigerate until set.

Recipe source: tastykitchen.com

Clemson vs. USC tailgate lunch giveaway winner!!

We were so excited about today's giveaway because the prize was so amazing - who wouldn't want a professionally catered tailgate for the Clemson vs. USC game??

All J's Catering has the largest menu in the Upstate, so today's lucky winner will have plenty of delicious gourmet food to choose from for their tailgate lunch menu for four.

We compiled all of your entries (thanks to those of you who emailed your friends for the extra entries) and randomly drew a winner....

The winner of today's catered tailgate lunch giveaway is....

Rebecca P. from Greenwood, SC

Congrats Rebecca! Please email us (clemsongirlblog@gmail.com) to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone who entered - including the Clemson guys as well...lol...welcome guys! ;)

And a big thanks to All J's Catering for sponsoring such a unique giveaway for all of our readers.

Guess what? Tomorrow is Friday and Saturday is more Clemson football! Go Tigers!!

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Tailgate Recipe: Tailgate breakfast recipes

As you may have heard, this weekend's home game versus NC State will be one of those lovely NOON games - which means you will be up bright and early, tailgating and sipping mimosas.


We thought we'd bring back some of our favorite tailgate breakfast recipes to help you prepare a delicious breakfast spread at your Clemson tailgate for your family and friends...bon appetit!

Clemson Breakfast Tailgate Recipes

French Toast Casserole - a Clemson Girl favorite submitted by one of our readers! It tastes exactly like delicious french toast, but is baked as a casserole. Served with regular syrup or you can try flavored syrups like strawberry and blueberry. Yummy!

Unbelievable Good Fruit Dip - Who doesn't like fruit for breakfast? Try out this incredibly easy to make fruit dip to compliment your fruit at your tailgate.

Cheesy Biscuits - One of my fave comfort foods - watch a video of eye-candy Chef Curtis Stone whip up these delicious cheesy biscuits. He walks through the recipe step-by-step, making these biscuits look super easy to make...although you may be distracted by the handsome chef. :)

Tiger Breakfast Bread - Another tailgate breakfast recipe submitted by one of our readers. This cinnamon and nut bread is so tastey and is guaranteed to be a new favorite at your tailgate. Perfect for a cool Fall morning with warm coffee.

Sausage Swirls - Add a little spice to your tailgate menu with these sausage swirls which are very easy to make. Prepare them the night before and pop in the oven for 15 minutes before you leave for the game. Mmmmm.

Not your typical Mimosa - And if you're interested in trying a twist on your typical Mimosa, try using Passion Fruit juice instead of orange juice. So...half a flute of Passion Fruit juice, and fill the other half with your favorite champagne - gently stir. For added flare, slice up an orange to decorate the rim of each flute!

Which of these recipes do you want to try? If you make any of these for your tailgate this weekend, send us pictures!

Do you have a tailgate recipe you would like featured 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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Tailgate Recipe: Unbelievably Good Fruit Dip

Only 7 weeks until the first Clemson home football game! The first game doesn't start until 3:30pm which leaves lots of time to tailgate beforehand - but also when it's typically the warmest.

One tailgate snack I love on the hot gamedays is fruit - especially fruit that's been left in a cold cooler all morning long. And I also love sweet and creamy dips to compliment the fruit.

Here's a yummy (and super easy) recipe to try, compliments of allrecipes.com:

Unbelievably Good Fruit Dip

Prep time: 5 min
Ready In: 3 hrs, 5 min.
Servings: 20 (about 2 cups)

Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice.
• Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 3 hours before serving (Clemson Girl: Or in your cooler on ice while you drive to Clemson!)

Do you have a tailgate recipe you'd like to share on the blog? Email it to us and we'll give you credit!

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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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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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