GEORGIA TECH vs DUKE!

It’s the last home game of the season.  So, I say — GO BIG OR GO HOME!  This menu is adventurous, as I’m preparing a meal prior to the game, and a 2nd meal after the game.  But, assuming the weather cooperates, we’ll want to soak up all the fun we can for our final tailgate party this year.  Plus, we’ll have my Dad and Stepmom in town and are eager to show them a good time!

It will have been a 3 week hiatus since we’ve tailgated!  Georgia Tech heads into this game against ACC rival, the Duke Blue Devils, with a mediocre season under their belt.  They are coming off a win in Chapel Hill (November 10th) over North Carolina.  So… GT is 5-5 coming to this game.

Meanwhile, Duke is having one of their best (if not THE best) seasons to date.  They went into the November 3rd game against Clemson with a 6-3 record.  They were annihilated by the Tigers, but they have a bye week before the trip to Bobby Dodd Stadium.  Still, 6-4 slightly trumps our record.

These two teams are fighting for a chance to go to the ACC Championship game in Charlotte on 12/1.

It’s a 3:30PM kickoff, so we’ll tailgate before and after the game.  And the weather prediction is sunny and in the upper 50s for a high and 38 degrees F for the low that night.  Excited about food to warm us!

APPLE STREUSEL MUFFINS
These are really yummy!

Streusel Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup flour
1/2 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Mix all of the dry ingredients except the nuts.

Add the butter into the mix using your hands to break into large chunks. Mix by hand until small balls form. Toss the nuts lightly into the mix.

2 large granny smith apples, peeled, cored and small diced (about 3 cups)
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup canola oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center.
Blend in the eggs, milk, butter, vanilla and oil.

Fold in the apples.

Spoon the batter into a wax paper lined muffin pan, filling cups ~ 2/3 – 3/4 full. Top with streusel.

Bake until light golden brown and toothpick comes out clean. Baking time will be 25-40 minutes depending on size of muffin tin. Makes ~18.

1 pkg. (26 ounces) shredded hash brown potatoes
1 pkg. Jimmy Dean Hearty Original Sausage Crumbles
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup julienne cut sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
6 green onions, sliced
12 eggs
1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 ground black pepper

Spray a 6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Layer 1/2 of the potatoes on the bottom of slow cooker.Top with half of the sausage, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, sun dried tomatoes and green onion. Repeat layering. Beat eggs, milk and pepper in large bowl with a wire whisk until well blended.Pour evenly over potato-sausage mixture. Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours or on high setting for 3-4 hours or until eggs are set. 12 servings.

CHEESE GRITS

These are absolutely the best! Secret is the Chicken Broth…

6 cups chicken broth
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 cups regular grits
16 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup butter
8 oz. grated white cheddar cheese

Bring broth, S & P and garlic powder to a boil. Stir in grits and whisk. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thick (8-10 minutes). Add shredded cheddar and milk and stir. Slowly stir in eggs and butter. Pour into casserole dish, and sprinkle with white cheddar. Bake at 350 degrees 35-40 minutes until set.

HAM STUFFED BISCUITS(Southern Living)

1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
2 cups buttermilk
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour $
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup shortening
Mustard Butter
2 pounds thinly sliced cooked ham

Combine yeast and 1/2 cup warm water in a 4-cup liquid measuring cup, and let mixture stand 5 minutes. Stir in buttermilk.
Combine flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; cut in shortening with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk mixture, stirring with a fork just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface, and knead 4 to 5 times. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness; cut with a 2-inch round cutter, and place on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour. Bake at 425° for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.

OR

You can use pre-made biscuits that you like from the freezer section of the grocery store.  Use good ones with real ingredients.  Just cook them per the package directions.

Mustard Butter:
1 cup butter, softened
2 TBSP minced sweet onion
2 TBSP spicy brown mustard

Stir together all ingredients until blended.

Split each biscuit, and spread evenly with Mustard Butter. Stuff biscuits with ham.  Devour!

FALL SNACK MIX

Mix together: cheese crackers, salted peanuts, and pretzel squares.
Then the sweet stuff gets added: Reese’s candy bits,caramel corn,honey nut cheerios,cocoa puffs, candy corn, and mallowcreme pumpkins.Either serve in a big bowl with a ladle or divide into bags or boxes or little jars for the tailgate.  Be sure and wrap with the team colors’ ribbons!

FRUIT CUPS

Here’s how I’m going to serve fruit for this brunch.  I’m going to take small clear plastic cups.  Then I’ll put a dollop of vanilla yogurt in the bottom of each cup, and top with fresh fruit.  How cute is that?  You  COULD take the cuteness a step further and place each cup in a cupcake liner, but that would just be over the top! 😉

*Of course, you can use this idea with a million other foods.  The blog where I saw this picture suggested using blue cheese dressing at the bottom, and then top with buffalo chicken pieces.  The possibilities are endless!  You could also put a dollop of caramel sauce and top with apple slices like this pic: