Big Red Tailgate for Senior Day
By Kelli Anne
Final home game. SENIOR DAY & Toys for Tots Drive. It’s hard to believe the season is already coming to an end. I’m not going to talk about last week. It’s already been beat to death. Plus, it’s time to focus on beating the Golden Gophers of Minnesota!! Game temps will be mid 40’s and an early morning start means another spin on breakfast tailgating. It’s time for Huskers to exterminate some Gophers!
A very dear friend of mine, who is a fantastic chef, has graciously offered to provide a breakfast burger recipe that is AMAZING. Nothing like saving the best for last! He is a regular at my CWS tailgate and his burgers have literally made headlines. Thank you TREY for BLOODY MARY BURGER recipe and the assist!
TREY: This burger is really only limited by your imagination. If you have a favorite Bloody Mary mix of you think you have the best recipe ever just go ahead and use it. Just make sure to put it on the stove, heat it up, and slurry it so it will thicken. Here’s a basic recipe for people feeling adventurous. I like to add cayenne and chili powder. Just remember that as the sauce sits over night the mixture will become spicier as the flavors meld.
Bloody Mary Burgers (Photo Kelli Anne)
BLOODY MARY BURGER SAUCE
3 tomatoes rough dice
1 46 oz can tomato juice
2 T hot pepper sauce
5 T lemon juice
3 T lime juice
2 T horseradish
4 T black pepper
1 t kosher salt
Add the first 5 ingredients to a pan and heat to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Put mixture in blender, food processor, or use an immersion blender and blend to break down the tomatoes. Return to stove. Add the remaining ingredients and bring back to a boil. When the temperature returns you need to slurry the mixture to thicken it up. [4 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with just enough water to form a mixture will usually do the trick] Add this slurry and continue to simmer for a few minutes. If it doesn’t thicken up add a little more slurry. When it thickens it’s time to taste. Depending on the juice you use and the tomatoes you may need to add a little salt, lemon juice, etc.
Tailgate grilling (photo by Kelli Anne)
BLOODY MARY BURGER This burger is served with the ketchup on top of the burger and then topped with an over easy egg. The yolk breaking will remind you of the sunrise at the tailgate and will make you think about the “Golden” Gophers that are about to get roasted! SERVING IDEAS: Once again, use your imagination! What goes with Bloody Marys? Sliced celery, green olives, pickles, bacon, Cajun boiled shrimp skewered to the bun. I like to add my homemade garlic habanero pickles as well!
On game days I tend to go big and utilize all the serving ideas. Big flavors for big impressions! For some extra fun put the burger in a sliced donut. Salty, sweet, spicy, and savory. Trust me. It’s delicious.
Bloody Mary burger on glazed donut bun (photo Trey N)
Thanks again to Trey! One of my favorite thing about morning tailgates is that Mandelko rice! I wasn’t sure what to think at first – rice for breakfast? But after the first bite of it you will serve it at ANY tailgate no matter what time it is and it will be perfect with the burger. YUMMY!!! The recipe is for a large group but you can cut it in half for a family of 4.
MANDELKO MAGNIFICENT RICE DISH
2 boxes of long grain & wild rice
2 lbs. of pork sausage (reg or spicey)
1 pint sour cream
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms (optional)
Cook 2 boxes of long grain and wild rice to directions. Cook two pounds of spicy (or plain) pork sausage. Mix all together and put in 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 50 minutes.
With chillier temperatures I tend to add some warming qualities to my beverage choices. This week I’m sticking with the “Golden Gopher” theme and providing another jello shot recipe. Its sweet and has a warming effect.
GOLDEN GOPHER Jello shot
1 package orange jello
1 ½ cup pineapple juice
¼ spiced rum
¼ cup fireball whiskey
Heat 1 cup of pineapple juice in a small saucepan close to boiling temperature and mix with the jello. Once it is dissolved, add in the remaining ingredients. Let it cool down and then pour into the mold cups.
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Lagniappe: (that’s LSU for a little something extra) Huskers played against Quarterback U (Purdue) and the Home of College Football (Rutgers) but Saturday they play against the Birthplace of Cheerleading. University of Minnesota claims that in 1898, an editorial in the school paper was looking to stir up enthusiasm for athletics after a 3 game losing streak. Student Johnny Campbell began to lead organized cheers at the home game against Northwestern. Gophers won 17-6 and much of the credit went to Campbell and his “yell leaders.” Let’s send those Gophers home crying instead. GO BIG RED!