Kap & Mina's Sunday Afternoon Tailgate: Week 16

Two weeks left in the regular season, and while some teams have locked up a spot in the playoffs, there are still many important match-ups looming and a number of teams in each conference fighting for a shot at the post-season. 

My cooking buddy and partner in culinary crime, Mina, is going on a much-earned vacation, so I'll be managing The Tailgate alone for the next few weeks, and I'll be subbing in my mother to help keep the standards and the creativity around here high until Mina's return in January.

Whether you hail from New York, Minnesota, Chicago, Green Bay, or any other football city, there's one dish that remains a popular favorite among fans: the sausage. But it doesn't just have to your typical bratwurst link on a bun with mustard. This week, my mother and I will be making a trio of dishes that offer fun and unique ways to use this tailgate staple.

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"Sausage Trio"

SAUSAGE CON QUESO DIP

This is a former New Year's recipe around my house. We haven't made it in a while, but it's one of those that I enjoy whenever we pull it from the recipe file and dust it off. It's basically a modification of the traditional Ro*tel/Velveeta cheese dip, with a few flavorful twists.

- Kap

• 1 lb. Ground Sausage (in tube--I used Jimmy Dean; don't get Sage flavored)
• 1 16 oz. brick Velveeta Cheese
• 1 10 oz. can Ro*tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (undrained, hot or mild)
• 1/2-1 tsp. Weber Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoning
• Tortillas, pita chips, mini rye loaf, etc., for serving

Crumble and cook sausage in a sauce pan over medium heat until browned. Drain grease.

Cut cheese into cubes and add to the sausage. Cook, stirring until cheese is melted. Stir in tomatoes and seasoning, and cook until warm.

Serve warm with chips, etc.

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MAPLE-GINGER KIELBASA

This is a simple recipe, but it's also one of my mom's trademark dishes--she's been making it for years, and it's something she's become known for. So, dear readers, be grateful she's sharing this one. It's special.

Serve this as an appetizer, or with rice as your main dish.

- Kap

• 1 ring of Kielbasa (I used Hillshire Farm)
• 1 c. Pure Maple Syrup
• 1 c. Ginger Ale (I used Vernor's)

Slice kielbasa into 1/4-inch thick slices. Cook in oven or crock pot according to directions below.

In Oven -- Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Layer kielbasa in a single layer in a baking pan. Mix maple syrup and ginger ale and pour over kielbasa. Bake for 2 hours. Drain before serving.

In Crock Pot -- Put kielbasa in crock pot. Mix maple syrup and ginger ale and pour over kielbasa. Cook for on High for 3-4 hours. Drain and serve.

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SAUSAGE CORN DOG CASSEROLE

This is a new recipe--a reinvention of the classic corn dog. And while I've never been a big corn dog fan, I must admit this cornbread casserole with its celery and smoked sausages is mighty tasty. I like it with a little sour cream on it, while my mother prefers to top hers with salsa. Either way, it's an easy, hearty dish that's sure to keep you warm and full when the temperature drops.

- Kap

• 1 1/2 c. thinly sliced Celery
• 2 TBSP Butter
• 1/2 tsp. Garlic, chopped
• 1 c. Scallions, chopped
• 1 14 oz. package Mini Sausage Links (I used Hillshire Farm Lit'l Smokies)
• 1 tsp. Hot Sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot)
• 2 Eggs
• 1 1/2 c. Milk
• 1 tsp. Sage
• 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
• 2 8 1/2 oz. packages Corn Bread/Muffin Mix (I used Jiffy)
• 8 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded, divided
• Salsa, for garnish
• Sour Cream, for garnish
• Chives, chopped for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Saute celery in butter for 5 min. Add onions and saute 5 min. more. Add garlic and saute 1-2 min. more. Place in bowl and set aside.

Cut mini sausage dogs lengthwise and then in half. In the same skillet, saute the dogs for 5 min. until lightly browned. Add to vegetables.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, sage, pepper, and hot sauce. Add the sausage and vegetable mixture. Stir in cornbread mix. Add 1 1/2 c. cheese.

Spread mixture into a shallow 3 quart baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Bake uncovered for 30 min. or until golden brown.

Serve with salsa, sour cream, and chives, if desired.

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DRINK RECOMMENDATION: PENN PILSNER
Pennsylvania Brewing Company, Pittsburgh, PA (5.0% ABV)

There's something about this Vienna-style lager that appealed to me today--perhaps it's it's mild caramel malter, or its hoppy flavor, or even just the Old World design of the label, which makes me think somehow of Pennsylvania Dutch traditions carried over from Western Europe. Whatever the case, I'm not the only one to appreciate this brew--it won the National Beverage Tasting Institutes's Gold Medal in 2001. A title well deserved!

- Kap

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EAGLES PREDICTION

Win! -- Well, last week showed us just how hard it is to beat the same team twice in a season. The Cowboys came to town, and despite their efforts, the Birds dropped an important one. At this point, despite their strong record, the Eagles are going to need to win the last two games of the season, and Dallas is going to have to lose one. That could happen, as the Cowboys face the powerful Colts this week (Indy has made it clear they are not resting their starters, even though they are in the playoffs). The Eagles have an easier road ahead of them. They face a floundering Washington squad. The hitch is that Robert Griffin III will be behind center this week and the Eagles won't have had a lot of time to prepare for the talented, mobile threat that he brings. Still, Washington hasn't been a very good team this year, and the return of Griffin isn't likely to change that. Chalk this one up as a win, and watch the Eagles keep the NFC East race alive for at least one more week.


MY RECORD -- 10-4

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PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

AFC EAST: Patriots -- They've clinched the division and are the front-runner for the top seed in the conference.


AFC NORTH: Ravens -- It's a three horse race with Cincinnati holding the slimmest of margins over Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Feasibly, all three teams could make the playoffs, but I suspect that Cinncy will find itself the odd man out with Baltimore holding the best hand at this point.


AFC SOUTH: Colts -- They've locked up their division and should be the number 3 seed in the playoffs.


AFC WEST: Broncos -- They've locked up their division and are in the hunt for the number 1 seed, though the Pats won't make it easy.


AFC WILD CARDS: Chiefs, Steelers -- This is a tough call because San Diego is making a real push. It's going to come down to the head-to-head match ups in week 17 as Pittsburgh meets divisional rivals Cincinnati, and K.C. faces off against a powerful San Diego team. The winners will be playoff bound.

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NFC EAST: Eagles -- I'm holding out hope that the Colts will take care of business against Dallas this week, giving the Eagles control over their fate again.


NFC NORTH: Packers -- The Lions are making a push (and they should take one of the Wild Card seeds), but the head-to-head will go to Green Bay. Expect them to get a first-round bye.


NFC SOUTH: Saints -- None of these teams really deserve to make it, but I expect New Orleans to go before Carolina or Atlanta (especially now that Cam Newton is injured). 


NFC WEST: Seattle -- Arizona holds the spot now, but the Seahawks are playing as well as any team in the NFL right now, and they look primed to take one of the first round byes. 


NFC WILD CARD: Lions, Cardinals -- These two teams are quite strong in their divisions and are pretty much a lock for the final two playoff spots in the NFC.

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Enjoy your vacation, Mina!

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.