Commentary by Joe Drozda and Bob Bley
Ben Franklin, generally considered one of America’s wisest men, is quoted as saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” If you want to take old Ben’s advice, here are some things to think about before the tailgate season gets going:
- Review last season’s negatives. Were you cold or wet? Did you have enough cooking surfaces or enough coolers? This list can be quite large.
- Plan to resolve these problems. List, by priority, items you need to acquire, like a new grill or cooler, tent/shelter, chairs etc.
- Check the ads in this paper or look at the tabloids for sales on your necessities. Remember, this time of the year you are in a buyer’s market. All camping gear is usually on sale.
We always try to start our season with special hearty football fan food, like sandwiches. One’s choice of sandwich will, however, be influenced by the weather forecast. If it’s to be 90 degrees, people will need lighter fare. Here’s a great sandwich recipe for the first game.
Crab Salad
This is a great hot weather sandwich filling.
Ingredients:
4 cups fresh crab meat
½ cup sliced celery
¼ cup sliced green onions
1/8 cup mayonnaise (light is OK)
1/8 cup plain Greek yogurt (low fat is OK)
Preparation:
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Then pack the salad in a sealable container and store overnight in the fridge. On game day, place the container in your cooler. Prepare each serving individually at your tailgate. With a serving spoon and fork, place portions on your favorite bread or lettuce leaves, or put a serving on a plate with crackers that the guest chooses from your cracker and cheese board. Serves eight.