Tailgating Question

[bigray76]

Alright gang... I have decided to do my next tailgate (homecoming) as Octoberfest.

I am good with the beer side of things, but can't decide what else I should do...

I was thinking of going with brats and kraut with onion; but was thinking I could do something more... I normally precook the brats at home (cooked in the kraut, onions, and beer) and then just warm them up in a frying pan when we get there.

I do have access to an awesome German butcher if I choose to get additional meats in a casing (bornwurst, knockwurst, etc.)

The point is it needs to be a somewhat easy effort in the parking lot or prepped the day before... (I bring a two burner propane stove and a camping grill or two for cooking)

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Might want to ask the butcher for advice. What you already have planned sounds really good.

 

[Master slacker]

Alright gang... I have decided to do my next tailgate (homecoming) as Octoberfest.

Good theme. Let's start.

I am good with the beer side of things, but can't decide what else I should do...

Good start. Beer is taken care of a week in advance. I like where this is going.

I normally precook the brats at home (cooked in the kraut, onions, and beer) and then just warm them up in a frying pan when we get there.

Uh oh... this doesn't look very promising...

The point is it needs to be a somewhat easy effort in the parking lot or prepped the day before... (I bring a two burner propane stove and a camping grill or two for cooking)
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ooooooooh... not what I was expecting. Must be a northerner thing. Down in my neck of the woods, tailgating is a way of life.

 

[Supe]

If you've got a skillet, throw some pierogies in there.

 

[bigray76]

Uh oh... this doesn't look very promising...
Ooooooooh... not what I was expecting. Must be a northerner thing. Down in my neck of the woods, tailgating is a way of life.

Having talked with my super-German co-worker in the past, you do not grill the brats, but pan cook them - the point is to not have the casing burst. Precooking them in the kraut and onions (and beer) ensures that they are cooked through in the controlled environment (my kitchen while starting to drink) and prevents casing rupture in the field (after having had a lot to drink).

I will be entertaining a few guests (clients and key subs) so I can't be a slave to the grill/stove.

 

[IlPadrino]

German potato salad?

 

[bigray76]

^I was thinking that as side... thinking I need some sort of appetizer too.

 

[Ble_PE]

How about some German girls to serve the beer?

 

[bigray76]

Well... I am tabbing this as the B's of Germany - brats and busty blondes (and brunettes) with beer! It is homecoming after all and there will be plenty of nice tailgating parties....

 

[Chucktown PE]

My grandmother is German and I concur that the authentic German way to cook sausages is to boil them first. I have not seen a whole lot of bratwurst in Germany the times that I've been. I've eaten mostly currywurst and knockwurst. Grilled brats are an American thing but for the record, one of my favorites are Johnsonville Brats cooked low on the grill for 15 minutes per side. Definitely not authentic German but goes real good with beer and football. And what the hell do drunken football fans care whether the food is authentic German or not. Besides, German football = soccer so the whole premise of your tailgate is unauthentic.

 

[bigray76]

Why is there always one kill-joy in every crowd?

Johnsville makes a good brat, which if I don't have to time to hit the butcher one night, that is the way I will probably go... it's not like I am looking to plan a huge gourmet spread here.

 

[Master slacker]

I will be entertaining a few guests (clients and key subs) so I can't be a slave to the grill/stove.

Just bustin' your balls. Everyone tailgates differently. As long as fun is had, food is cooked, and beer is consumed, it's all good. :thumbs:

BTW, are you planning on incorporating much non-German food in the mix? You could always steam veggies on the grill. Maybe grill some artichoke. Wrap something in bacon and throw it on the grill.

 

[Chucktown PE]

^^ Sorry bigray, I wasn't trying to be a killjoy. I was actually trying to refute Master Slacker's post and say, it really doesn't matter if it's authentic, as long as you have brats, beer, and football, it's Octoberfest to me. I didn't like a lot of the German sausages that I ate. Some of them had really weird textures and tastes.

 

[bigray76]

Wrap something in bacon and throw it on the grill.

Bacon makes everything better...

I usually do a game with the 'Three Dog Night' (aka the Fat Charlie) - Three hot dogs in a hoagie roll with chili, cheese, and a couple pieces of bacon. I have also done the 'Slaw Dog' - a hot dog in a hot dog roll with cole slaw and two pieces of bacon... both are winners.

The 'Fat' reference is to the Rutgers Grease Trucks - they serve 'Fat' Sandwichs... (Fat Cat - two cheese burgers in a hoagie roll with french fries, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mayo, salt, pepper; Fat Daryl - chicken fingers, mozzerella sticks, marinara sauce, rabbit food)... and for what it is worth - I knew the Daryl that is named after.

 

[Master slacker]

Bacon makes everything better...
I usually do a game with the 'Three Dog Night' (aka the Fat Charlie) - Three hot dogs in a hoagie roll with chili, cheese, and a couple pieces of bacon.

I know what I'll be grilling this weekend.

 

[TXCoogPE]

A southern suggestion: Add some heat by grilling up some cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon. You might want to warn your friends first.

:blowup:

 

[Dexman1349]

Agreed TX. The only thing to be careful with is after the 2nd batch of them, you have a very high probability of a grease fire...

 

[Sschell]

and be careful the next day...

I have a story, but should log on as fudgey to tell it.

 

[Master slacker]

and be careful the next day...

I have a story, but should log on as fudgey to tell it.

The use of "log"... pun?

 

[snickerd3]

bigray don't forget one of these

http://www.bumperdumper.com/bumper2.htm