With football season just around the corner, fans of all kinds are gearing up for one of the best parts of the game: tailgating. Complete with recipes, games, gear and more, this list is a must-have for all Tiger fans.
1. **Food**— What’s a football game without something to snack on? These munchies can range from chips, to burgers, to something sweet. Below are a few delicious, yet easy recipes to try out on your fellow fans.
**Football Cheese Ball**
**Ingredients**
_Original recipe makes 18 servings_
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1/2 slice American cheese, sliced into strips
**Directions**
Mix together the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, green onion, Worcestershire sauce, and taco seasoning mix in a large bowl. Press the cheese mixture into a ball, turn it out onto a sheet of plastic wrap.
Use the plastic wrap to press the cheese ball into the shape of a football by flattening the ball and rounding each end. Place the cheese football on a plate, arrange the strips of American cheese like laces on the top of the cheese football. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.
Prep time: 15 minutes; Ready in 2 hours and 45 minutes
**Juiciest Hamburgers Ever**
**Ingredients**
2 pounds ground beef
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
3 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
**Directions**
Preheat grill for high heat. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, evaporated milk, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper using your hands. Form the mixture into 8 hamburger patties. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill patties 5 minutes per side, or until well done.
Prep time: 15 minutes; Cook time: 10 minutes
**Scrumptious Fudge Brownies**
**Ingredients**
_Original recipe makes 1 -13×9 inch pan of brownies_
8 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup butter
5 eggs
3 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 cup heavy cream
5 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**Directions**
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan. Place 8 ounces of baking chocolate with 1 cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on High until the chocolate is soft and the butter has melted, about 2 minutes. Stir to mix.
Place the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl, and beat with an electric mixer on high speed for 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low, and beat in the melted butter-chocolate mixture. Beat in the flour until just combined (do not overmix), and stir in the chopped walnuts. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with fudgy crumbs, about 35 minutes. Cool in the pan before frosting.
To make frosting, combine 1 1/4 cup of sugar with the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat, and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for 7 minutes without stirring.
Remove the cream mixture from the heat, and stir in 5 ounces of baking chocolate and 1/2 cup butter, stirring to melt and blend the chocolate. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; whisk until smooth. Place the frosting in the refrigerator and stir every few minutes until the frosting is chilled and thick, about 30 minutes. Frost the cooled brownies, and cut into squares.
Prep time: 20 minutes, Cook time: 40 minutes
2. **Football**— This is quite possibly the most simple and entertaining, yet imperative part of tailgating. Whether it be playing catch or starting a game in the parking lot, a football at this type of event is an item that will ensure some memories are made, along with new friends and maybe even a few enemies.
3. **Bag game**— A close second to a football, bags is an entertaining and portable way to pass the time before the main event starts. Paint the boards in your team’s colors to be festive and grab some fellow tailgaters to compete in a game or start a round robin tournament.
5. **Grill**— The grill is the centerfold of any serious tailgate. It’s the mecca that makes for a great time: food. Big or small, this tool is sure to ensure a spectacular meal, in addition to a successful pregame.
6. **Cooler**— This proves to be one of the times when you should go big or go home. The larger it is, the more you can store, which means instead of opting for a cooler drink or a fresher meal, you can have both. And remember, store the drinks on the bottom so they have the appropriate amount of time to get as cold as possible.
8. **Beverages**— What’s a tailgate without the proper hydration? This can range from alcoholic beverages or beer (if you’re of age) to soda or water. Pack that cooler with your favorite drinks to last you all day. Especially with the hot Midwest weather, consuming plenty of fluids is one of the best ways to make sure game day doesn’t get ruined by fatigue or dehydration.
9. **Spirit wear**— Anytime is the perfect time to rep your team’s colors, but it’s especially important on game day. Regardless if it’s face paint, foam fingers or decorative clothing, it’s imperative to show your pride. Deck out in the most outrageous and festive black and gold and head to Memorial Stadium to get ready for the big game with your fellow Tiger fans.
