texasmesquite

Tailgating in style

By Kara Kimbrough
Source: Mchearld.com


John Maxwell (left) and Ben Rogers sample tailgating goodies at a display at Persnickety in Madison recently.

Two major holidays are celebrated this weekend - one that's nationwide and one so steeped in Southern tradition it deserves its own celebrated day on the calendar. Of course, it's Labor Day and the beginning of college football tailgating season. We all know the drill: friends and family will gather today through Monday with two things on their minds, what's cooking and who's playing?
It's a tradition not lost on the folks at Persnickety in Madison. It's why they teamed up recently with some of the best food entrepreneurs and cookbook authors in the state to offer simple and delicious recipes using both tried-and-true favorites and ones made with Mississippi-made products.
"The task of putting together a great menu that will work for informal gatherings like the ones many will be hosting this weekend, either at their homes or at the games, should be made easy," said Sherri Hilton of Persnickety. "That's what we've set out to do with 'Tailgating in Style.' "
Hilton and owner Ben Rogers hosted their own extravaganza a week before the festivities to demonstrate easy to prepare appetizers that included recipes from the Junior League of Jackson's Come On In! Oxford's Square Table, Best of the Best from Mississippi Cookbooks, and Madison County cookbook author Debbye Dabbs' Men's Cookbook.
Festive table displays featuring unique presentations of sunflowers, colorful linens and Mississippi-made pottery and serve ware provided creative ideas for customers planning to celebrate this weekend, either at home or at their favorite college campus. The main ingredient of several dishes was condiments made in Mississippi or by other fledgling food entrepreneurs.
"The best thing about using Mississippi-made food products is that they're delicious, versatile and easy to use in a variety of recipes," said Hilton. "We carry Raspberry Chipotle Sauce from Starkville, which is delicious as a sauce for pork tenderloin or poured over cream cheese and served as a dip. Abe's Barbecue Sauce is made in Clarksdale and what cookout or tailgating party would be complete without the perfect sauce?"
A line of Mac's Salsa products offers a variety of appetizer ideas, ranging from tangy dips to everyone's favorite, a bowl of hot salsa paired with chipotle chips.
Hilton said customers are always searching for innovative food items when selecting from the store's line of pottery and glassware. Also popular this time of year are colorful specialty serve ware, beverage holders and napkins featuring the mascots and logos of Mississippi's favorite college teams.
"While we're primarily a home accent and gift store, we strive to provide everything someone will need when preparing to entertain," said Hilton. "This includes several of the best cookbooks from around the state, table linens, party items and decor and the latest specialty food products. Everything someone needs to host a great party this weekend is right here."
Tracy McPherson of Madison gained some new ideas for tailgating this weekend with 15 other families at Mississippi State University. The first game will be a special event for the McPhersons, who have been tailgating at Starkville football games for many years. It will be the first time they visit their daughter Mary Margaret as an MSU freshman.
"I really want this weekend to be special for my daughter, so I'm very glad that I came today," said McPherson. "I sampled the raspberry chipotle sauce and it was delicious, so I plan to use it when preparing my pork tenderloin. I also enjoyed seeing their unique table displays; the sunflowers are a great idea."
Others dishes that customers agreed with be a perfect accompaniment to any tailgating party included corn dip, Monterey Jack salsa, glazed crackers, snicker surprise cookies, black bean salsa and chips and the one appetizer that is de rigueur for any party table in Mississippi: white trash mix.
Following are some of Persnickety's Labor Day/tailgating recipes, courtesy of area cookbooks and food vendors:
Monterey Jack Salsa
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
1 can green chilies (4 oz.) chopped
1 can black olives (3-1/4 oz.) chopped (three and one fourth)
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 pound Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Tortilla chips for serving
Directions:
Blend all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips
(from Junior League of Jackson's Come On In!)
RASPBERRY CHIPOTLE PARTY DIP
Ingredients:
1 8 oz. container cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 8 oz. container sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup Mac's Raspberry Chipotle Hot Sauce
Directions:
Mix well, serve with raw veggies and chips.
(from Mac's Web site: www.macshotssauce.com)
Glazed Crackers
Ingredients:
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
2 packages buttery-flavored crackers (8 oz. total)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine margarine, butter and sugar and boil 5 minutes. Add vanilla and pecans. Arrange crackers on two cookie sheets and spoon butter mixture over crackers. Bake 8 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cook briefly. Remove crackers from cookie sheets with spatula.
(from Junior League of Jackson's Come On In!)