FINAL TAILGATE 2024: GT vs MIAMI

It’s been quite the unusual season. Beginning with another game in Dublin, Ireland, then a “home” game played in the Atlanta Falcons’ stadium (that doesn’t allow tailgating), and there’s a Thursday game looming (difficult to tailgate at for us). So this game is the finale for us to tailgate.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

VS

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HURRICANES

12PM KICKOFF

10AM TAILGATE START

BRUNCH MENU:

COWBOY DIP

BAKED HAM EGG AND CHEESE CROISSANT BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

BEST SPINACH AND ARUGULA SALAD

FRUIT SALAD

YELLOW JACKET PUNCH

APPLE TOFFEE BARS

COWBOY DIP

For the dip:
12 oz hot Italian sausage, casings removed
2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups frozen sweet corn, thawed
1 (14-oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 (4-oz) can diced green chiles
1/2 cup fresh jalapeño peppers, diced
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
cayenne pepper, to taste
For topping:
2 TBSP sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 tsp green onions, optional, sliced

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the sausage in a dry pan over medium heat until they start to sizzle.

Use a spoon or flat wooden spatula to break up the sausage as it cooks and cook until browned and crumbly, about 10-12 minutes.

Remove the sausage from the heat and drain the fat.

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, the sour cream, 4 ounces of the cheddar cheese, the corn, the cooked sausage, the tomatoes with green chilies and their juices, the green chiles, the jalapeño peppers, 1/2 cup of the green onions, the salt, the pepper, and the cayenne pepper, mixing until thoroughly combined.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and smooth out the top.

Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and the cayenne pepper.

Place the baking dish on a sheet pan and bake until the cheese is melted and the dip is bubbling around the outside, about 30 minutes.

Top with the remaining green onions. Serve with sturdy tortilla chips.

BAKED HAM EGG AND CHEESE CROISSANT BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

(Adapted from Diane Morrissey)

Croissants

Eggs

Sliced cheddar cheese

S & P

Layer on opened croissants, ham, cheddar cheese, softly scrambled eggs (mixed with s & p) and another  slice of cheese. Put the croissant top on and bake at 350 degrees F for 12-14 minutes. Cool and then wrap in foil.  The next day at your tailgate, throw them on the grill to warm them up and enjoy!  Sprinkle with chives if desired before serving.

BEST SPINACH AND ARUGULA SALAD

(Adapted from tyberrymuch.com)
Lemon Dressing:

Juice & zest of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp of juice)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper
½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp agave nectar or maple syrup
1 tsp dijon mustard
Salad:

3 heaping cups fresh arugula
3 heaping cups fresh baby spinach
½ cup toasted slivered almonds
¼ cup shaved or grated parmesan

Lemon Dressing

½ a fresh avocado, sliced thin or diced, OPTIONAL

Make the lemon vinaigrette by mixing all the dressing ingredients together in a small sealable jar. Shake or stir the ingredients until well combined and emulsified. Set aside.
Add the arugula, spinach, toasted almonds, and (dairy free) parmesan to a large salad bowl. Toss to combine.
When ready to serve, drizzle on the lemon dressing to taste and toss until the dressing evenly coats all of the greens.
Top with fresh avocado (IF USING), salt, and fresh cracked black pepper to taste. Serve immediately. 

YELLOW JACKET PUNCH

1 Quart (32 oz) Vodka
½ Quart (16 oz) Fresh Lemon Juice
½ Quart (16 oz) Fresh Lime Juice
½ Quart (16 oz) Pineapple Juice
1 cup Agave nectar

In a pitcher, combine all ingredients and refrigerate until chilled. Add ice and garnish each glass with raspberries and/or blueberries and lime wheels.