The fall air is finally fresh and crisp and makes us want to be outside. Cooler fall weather brings us out to the football games. It also brings us a healthy appetite making it a perfect time to have a tailgate party, especially during playoffs. Whether you prefer a party that is simple or one that is more elaborate, the key is to plan ahead. You may need to do some prep work the day before the big event, so mark off time for that as well.
Start by making a list of all the things you will need, such as paper supplies including plates, forks, spoons, napkins, and towels. Disposable products will make cleanup easier at game time. Decide which foods you want on your menu. Grilled foods are a favorite of most East Texans. Just make sure to follow a few food safety tips to ensure you won't to spoil the fun with a food-borne illness.
Once you have decided which meats you want to grill and what side dishes you want to serve alongside them, pack food in plenty of ice in a well-insulated cooler. A refrigerator thermometer inside the cooler would be helpful to be sure a safe temperature is maintained. Keep the cooler in an air-conditioned car instead of your trunk while traveling. Upon arrival at your destination, keep your cooler in the shade or a cool spot. Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling food. Moist hand wipes or hand sanitizer will do, if running water is not available.
Food should be ready about and hour to an hour-and-a-half before the game starts. This allows plenty of time to enjoy some great food and enough time to clean up before kickoff. When grilling, use a thermometer to check the doneness of the meats: Red meat at medium-rare should be cooked to 145 degrees; at medium, 160 degrees; and at well done, 170 degrees. Ground meat should be cooked to 160 degrees. If you are cooking pork, medium is done at 160 degrees and well-done is 170 degrees. Poultry breast should be cooked to a temperature of 170 degrees and legs to 180 degrees.
Be sure to use separate utensils and plates for raw and cooked foods. If the weather is cool, refrigerate leftovers no later than two hours after they are served. When the temperature is 80 or higher, bacteria grow more rapidly, so shorten the serving time to one hour.
Enjoy the game!
