Tailgating Treats for Hungry Parents and Athletes

The first college football game was on November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and New Jersey, (now known as Princeton), with Rutgers winning 6-4. Reports from that game tell a story of around 100 spectators, who brought food and drinks, watched the game, and cheered their teams on.¹ This tradition, now known as “tailgating”, has moved beyond just college football and is enjoyed by millions every year.

Read on for some great options to bring to your next tailgating party!

Ham and Cheese Sliders

16 oz. package of dinner rolls

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tbsp. chopped pickled jalapeños

2 tsp. honey

4 oz. sliced Swiss cheese

8 oz. sliced ham

4 oz. sliced cheddar cheese

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. chopped chives

Directions

1. Preheat the broiler on high. Remove the rolls from the packaging in one piece. Using a serrated knife, cut crosswise through the center of the rolls at once to divide the top half from the bottom half (keeping the sides of the rolls intact). Place both halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet and broil until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside. 
2. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, jalapeños, and honey.
3. On the same sheet tray, spread the cut sides of the rolls with the mayonnaise mixture. On the bottom sides of the rolls, lay the Swiss cheese slices in a single layer, slightly overlapping if needed. Then, lay the ham slices in an even layer over top, followed by the cheddar cheese slices. Cover with the top half of the rolls. 
4. Brush the tops of the rolls all over with olive oil. Cover the sheet tray and bake for 10 minutes. Uncover the tray and bake until the cheese is melted, and the tops of the rolls are golden and toasted, about 10 to 15 minutes more. Sprinkle chives on top, cut along the lines of the rolls into individual sliders and serve immediately. 

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

2 ½ lbs. baby red potatoes, cut into 1-inch
cubes

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup reduced-fat sour cream

1 tbsp. spicy brown mustard

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. ground pepper

3 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives, divided

Directions

1. Cover potatoes in cold water in a large heavy pot; bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool for 30 minutes.
2. Stir mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Place potatoes in a large bowl; gently stir in bacon, cheese and 2 tbsp. chives. Add the mayonnaise mixture; gently stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tbsp. chives before serving.

Slow Cooker Game Day Chili

2 lbs. lean ground beef

2 medium green bell peppers, chopped

2 small onions, chopped

2 cans (15 oz. each) red kidney beans, undrained

2 packages (1.25 oz. each) chili seasoning mix

2 cans (15 oz. each) tomato sauce

2 cans (10 oz. each) diced tomatoes and green chilies

Cheese and sour cream (optional)

Directions

1. Brown ground beef, bell pepper and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink. Drain well. Spoon beef mixture into the lined-slow cooker. Add beans, seasoning mix, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and green chilies to beef mixture STIR gently with wooden or plastic spoon.
2. Cover and cook 6 to 7 hours on LOW OR 3 to 3 1/2 hours on HIGH, until hot and bubbly throughout.
3. Carefully remove lid to allow steam to escape. Stir gently using a wooden or plastic utensil. Serve food directly from slow cooker. Top with cheese and sour cream, if desired.

Spiked Lemonade

3 cups sugar

3 cups water

12 lemons, juiced

Ice

1 small bunch fresh mint

Bourbon, as needed

Club soda, as needed

Directions

1. In a saucepan, add the sugar and water. Heat until the sugar dissolves. Chill until ready to use.
2. In a small pitcher, mix the lemon juice and chilled simple syrup. Add the syrup in stages and taste so it is the right amount of sweet and sour for your liking.
3. To serve, place ice cubes in a high-ball glass. Add a few mint leaves. Pour some bourbon into the glass to your taste. Add lemonade and top with club soda. Or enjoy lemonade by itself!
   
   
   ^{1. Rutgers University, 2024, scarletknights.com, 8/14/2024, https://scarletknights.com/sports/2022/7/25/sports-m-footbl-archive-first-game-html.aspx}