Punt, Pass and Pig Out

Disguise a football helmet as a chip or veggie and dip bowl.

Touchdowns ... fight songs ... cheerleaders ... food. What's a football game without a tailgate party? From burgers to hot dogs and baked beans to potato salad, no pre-game is complete until the hunger is tackled. Tailgating is as American as apple pie or political scandals.

Start out the year right with a pregame All-American tailgate party. If you can't make it to the big game, throw a bash at your home.

There are many keys to a successful tailgate. Those include good food, drink, friends and family, but don't be afraid to experiment. Throw together more than just the standard fare of hot dogs and hamburgers. Be creative, think "fun" and have a great time before your team kicks some butt.

Field of Beans

Field of Beans

Create a seven-layer bean dip that models a football field and can serve a large pre-game crowd.

Use refried beans as the bottom layer, ground turkey as the next layer, then salsa. Add guacamole and cheese to make the field, shopped olives for the sidelines abd sour cream to make the yard lines and end zones.

PB&J Sandwich with a Twist

A good alternative idea for feeding the children is the following recipe. It's easy and delicious, and it won't spoil — even if you're traveling across the country.

Ingredients:

challah bread (or substitute whole wheat, seven-grain or raisin bread)
peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
raspberry jam (or substitute honey)
raisins
unsalted sunflower seeds
banana
alfalfa sprouts
animal-shaped cookie cutters

Preparation:

Spread peanut butter on one half of the bread, then spread raspberry jam on the other half. Evenly sprinkle raisins and sunflower seeds on the peanut-butter side, and top with banana slices. Add alfalfa sprouts and gently press the two sides of the sandwich together.

Place a cookie cutter in the center of the sandwich, and slowly press down to cut out the shape. Carefully trim off the excess bread with a paring knife before removing the cookie cutter. Wrap each shape in wax paper, then close with a gold-seal sticker

Yield: one sandwich

Tailgating Safety Tips

• Don't leave grill unattended.
  
  
• Bring a fire extinguisher.
  
  
• Safely dispose of hot coals.

For a unique decorative idea, make a flower arrangement using a helmet as the base.

Take along a few accessories when hopping on the tailgating bandwagon. Flowers for example, add a nice touch to the buffet table as well as a pre-cooled dispenser such as the one above that is filled with your favorite beverage. Packing this dispenser eliminates the need for a separate beverage cooler, too — if everyone can agree on just one kind of drink.

Gott beverage dispenser

Other useful items include portable chairs, rapid ice makers, wine opener and/or bottle opener, picnic basket and seat cushions that come with an ice pack.