I'm hoping you didn't notice, but I sort of skipped over Tailgate Thursday last week. There was just too much stuff going on and too little time to get everything done. Oh yeah, and the recipe I had planned totally bombed. So there was that little factor, too.
But this week, I'm back and I'm ready to share some Purple & Gold love for the LSU Tigers!
Steve and I had the chance to go to a game at "Death Valley" a while back... and boy, was that an experience! {Sadly, our team lost that game and we were forced to walk through the valley of death with bourbon-fueled fans heckling us along the way... no fun at all.}
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| With our LSU friends. Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Circa 2007 |
One thing I do remember fondly about our LSU tailgating experience was the food. I'm pretty sure that in order to be an LSU fan, you have to sign some sort of agreement stating that you will purchase professional tailgating gear and make enough food to feed an army! I'm talking VATS of fried oysters, fried shrimp, and anything else you can batter and fry along with sides of spicy crawfish pasta salad and boatloads of other snacks. They sure do know how to throw a party!
Of course, the state in general is known for some pretty fantastic foods... Fresh gulf seafood, Cajun cooking, and New Orleans fare are just a few things that come to mind when I think of Louisiana
For my LSU tailgate menu, I decided to go the easy route with quick but yummy bites that you don't need fancy tailgate gear to make at home.
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| 1. Purple Tiger Dream Cocktail by Carla at Haute Cocktail, 2. Cajun Tater Bites, 3. Tiger Butter Candy, 4. LSU dress from Twelve Saturdays |
Let's start with the Purple Tiger Dream Cocktail that Carla mixed up for us. The deep purple color made by combining raspberry liqueur, cranberry juice, and blue curacao along with a few other ingredients is a perfect match for Twelve Saturdays' adorable little one-shouldered number. Cocktail coordination!
I couldn't resist buying purple potatoes for the Cajun Tater Bites to go with the theme! These are so easy to make and the color really gives a festive touch to these spicy starters. {If you can't find purple potatoes, plain small potatoes should work just fine.}
For a sweet treat, you won't find tastier stripes than the Tiger Butter Candy that comes together in about 20 minutes! It's a cross between fudge and bark with a creamy peanut butter kick. Easy and satisfying!
I can't believe this is my 6th Tailgate Thursday post, which means we're mid-way through football season already! Have you tried any of my tailgate recipes? Discovered any new ones we shouldn't live without? Feel free to share with me here or on my Facebook page... I love to see what's happening in your kitchen!
The Purple Tiger Dream Cocktail
Purple Tiger Dream Cocktail (by Carla at Haute Cocktail)
Ingredients
- ½ oz. Blackcurrant vodka {or plain vodka if you don't have Blackcurrant}
- 2 oz. Raspberry Liqueur
- 1 oz. Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
- Lemon-Lime Soda
Instructions
- In a shaker mix vodka and cranberry juice and pour in a glass with ice.
- Add raspberry liqueur and blue curacao to glass and fill up with lemon-lime soda.
Notes
Cajun Tater Bites
Cajun Tater Bites
Ingredients
- 20 small purple potatoes scrubbed
- 4 ounces of cheddar cheese sliced into small squares
For Topping:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ teaspoon Cajun or blackened seasoning {more if you want more of a "kick"}
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Assembling Potatoes:
- Fill a medium pot with water and a tablespoon of salt. Place scrubbed potatoes in water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-18 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Slice each potato in half.* Season with salt. While warm, top with a small square of cheddar cheese.
- Finish with a small dollop of yogurt mixture.
Notes
Tiger Butter Candy
Tiger Butter Candy (adapted from Taste of Home)
Ingredients
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter {I used reduced fat... not that it really matters!}
- ¼ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare an 8x8 square baking pan by lining with foil. Coat foil with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, place white chocolate chips and peanut butter. Heat for about 1 ½ minutes in the microwave, stopping at 30 second intervals to stir until the mixture is smooth and chips are fully incorporated.
- Pour peanut butter mixture into prepared pan and spread in an even layer. Set aside.
- Repeat melting process with semi sweet chips {it will take less time since it's a smaller amount}.
- Spoon melted chocolate over peanut butter mixture in long tiger-stripe-like strokes.
- With the tip of a knife or a toothpick, swirl chocolate into peanut butter mixture to look like tiger stripes.
- Chill in freezer for about 15 minutes or until set, then remove and break into pieces.
Debra says
In your recipe for the tiger bark, you say to melt the white chocolate and peanut butter for 1 1/2 [email protected] 30 MINUTE intervals. While most folks would realize you meant 30 SECOND intervals, I. Would hate for you to have to deal with that 1 person who put it in for 30 minutes because that's what it said. ? Looks like a good recipe that I for sure will be trying. Thank you.
thekitchenprep says
Oh my goodness, Debra! I'm glad you caught that! 🙂 Thanks for letting me know, I'll fix it right now. I hope you enjoy it when you give it a try!