Kap & Mina's Sunday Afternoon Tailgate: Week 10

Our vegetarian tailgate last week may have been the highlight of the season so far, but it puts us on a short schedule. Fortunately, we aren't the Saints, so we aren't going to whine about it. Instead, we are going to dig deep and put up another great performance here at The Tailgate with a nice, mobile game day food . . . .

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"Snacks On A Stick"
(or "Shnacks on a Shtick" if you prefer Mina's truly memorable Sean Connery impersonation, which will not be featured here because it is not as "dead-on" as she thinks it is)

THAI PEANUT SATAY

Chicken satay is one of the easiest tailgate recipes. You can marinate it the night before, cook it in the morning, and keep it warm the rest of the day. (Or you can even eat it cold.) 

On a stick, these kabobs are easy to carry, fun to eat, great for dipping. And while they taste great even without a dipping sauce, they are even better when paired with the Thai Peanut Sauce recipe below.

- Kap

• 1 lb. Chicken Breast tenders
• 2 Shallots, chopped
• 3 Garlic Cloves, choped
• 1 stalk Lemongrass, shredded
• 1 Chile pepper
• 1 TBSP Ginger Paste
• 6 TBSP Soy Sauce
• 3 TBSP Hoisin Sauce
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 ½ TBSP Vegetable Oil
• 2 TBSP Lime Juice
• 1 tsp. Sesame Oil
• 1 TBSP Agave Nectar
• 1 TBSP Honey
• 2 tsp. Sriracha
• 1/2 tsp. Hot Pepper Flakes
• 1 TBSP Cilantro
• 1/2 tsp. Coriander, ground
• 1/2 tsp. White Pepper
• 1/2 tsp. Turmeric, ground
• 1/2 tsp. Cumin, ground
• 2 TBSP Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt
• Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce (recipe below)
• Sesame Seeds, for garnish
• 3-4 Scallions, chopped for garnish
• Wooden Skewers

Put all marinade ingredients in a blender and mix well. Spread mixture over the chicken, coating both sides, and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

Soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. Then thread the chicken onto the skewers.

To Cook in the Oven: Set oven to broil and cook the chicken on a broiling sheet for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. 

To Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Lightly spray the grates with cooking spray. Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, basting halfway.

After cooking, baste the kabobs in the dipping sauce (recipe below) and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve with extra dipping sauce.

Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce

• 1 c. Peanut Butter (smooth, not chunky)
• 2 cloves Garlic, chopped
• 3 TBSP Soy Sauce
• 1 tsp. Sesame Oil
• 1 TBSP Brown Sugar
• 1 TBSP Agave Nectar
• 2 TBSP Hoisin Sauce
• 1 1/2 TBSP Lime Juice
• 1 TBSP Thai Chili Sauce
• 2 tsp. Sriracha
• 1/4 c. Milk (or Coconut Milk)

Mix all ingredients and heat over medium heat until smooth.

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"THE BANANA HAMMOCK"

It's been a long week - so forgive my juvenile humor in naming this tasty treat! As you folks know, Kap loves Bananas Foster (which we paid homage to back in Week 3) we thought it'd be best to riff on more fun banana dishes, later in the season.  Try this easy recipe for a hot tailgating snack, or pair with some ice cream for a cool, fun, dessert. 

- Mina


Side Note: I don't know what Kap is talking about, because I do an AMAZING Sean Connery impression.  It would blow your mind. 

• 2 Bananas, halved
  
• 1 Egg, beaten
• 1/4 c. Milk
• 1 c. Cinnamon Graham Crackers, crushed
• Vegetable Oil, for frying
• Powdered Sugar, for garnish
• Chocolate Sauce, for dipping (I used Graeter's Bittersweet Chocolate Dessert Sauce)
• 4 Wooden Skewers

Skewer the bananas. Whisk the eggs and the milk. Dip each banana in the egg mixture and toss in the graham cracker crumbs to coat. Repeat the process to form a second coating. 

Heat the oil to medium-high. Fry the bananas to brown evenly on all sides, about 2 minutes. 

Place on paper towels to dry and garnish with powdered sugar. Serve with your favorite chocolate dipping sauce.

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DRINK RECOMMENDATION: SHOT FLIGHT

Alabama Slammer

AMF

B-52

Perhaps you've been to a nice restaurant or winery where they offer a wine flight, a tasting of different varieties. One fun tailgate option, especially if you have a fully stocked bar, is to do a flight of famous shots. This week, we're shaking up seven of the most iconic shots (touchdown!). We've got the Alabama Slammer, AMF, B-52, Bailey's Job, Kamikaze, Lemon Drop, and Mind Eraser.

Most of these shots are low in alcohol content, but they can still sneak up on you if you drink them fast. As a rule, you should still be careful when serving shots. Spread them out over the afternoon and evening, don't serve them to anyone with an empty stomach, and never let someone get behind the wheel after drinking. In short, be responsible.

- Kap

Bailey's Job

Kamikaze

Lemon Drop

Mind Eraser

Shake of the following drinks in a cocktail shaker with ice, unless otherwise instructed. 
Some of these recipes serve more than one shot.

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Alabama Slammer (serves 2)

• 1/2 oz. Amaretto
• 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort
• 1/2 oz. Sloe Gin
• 1/4 oz. Grenadine
• 1 1/2 oz. Orange Juice

B-52

• 1/2 oz. Kahlua
• 1/2 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
• 1/2 Grand Marnier

Do not shake. Layer the three liquors. Start with the kahlua. Float the Irish cream next over the back of a bar spoon so that it doesn't mix. Float the Grand Marnier last. If using a fireproof glass, you may ignite the shot after building the last layer.


Kamikaze (serves 2)

• 1 oz. Vodka 
• 1 oz. Triple Sec
• 1 oz. Lime Juice

Mind Eraser

• 3/4 oz. Kahlua
  
• 3/4 oz. Vodka
• 1 oz. Club Soda or Sprite

Do not shake. Build over ice in a low ball glass. Drink in one shot using a straw.

AMF (serves 2)

• 1/4 oz. White Rum
  
• 1/4 oz. Gin
• 1/4 oz. Vodka
• 1/4 oz. Silver Tequila
• 1/4 oz. Blue Curacao
• 1 oz. Sour Mix
• 1 oz. Sprite

Note: Add the Sprite after shaking.


Bailey's Job

• 1/2 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
• 1/2 oz. Kahlua
• 1/2 oz. Amaretto
• Whipped Cream

Do not shake. Layer in the order listed above, pouring slowly. Garnish the top with whipped cream.


Lemon Drop (serves 2)

• 1 1/4 oz. Lemon Vodka
  
• 1 oz. Lemon Juice
  
• 1/2 oz. Triple Sec
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
  
• Sugar, for rimming the glass

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EAGLES PREDICTION

Win! -- With "Nick Folian Dynamite" out for a while with a broken collarbone, the Eagles' chances at success this season took a hit. I'm not on the Mark "Sanchize" bandwagon, sorry. That said, they should still be good enough to beat an underwhelming Panthers squad. And they can still be a playoff team, if they play to their strengths.


MY RECORD: 5-3

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All recipes listed above come from our own imaginations unless otherwise indicated. If you try one of these recipes in your own kitchen, leave a comment below and tell us how it goes. And, of course, share your modifications, enhancements, improvements, etc.

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