Football in the South means tailgating, food (and lots of it) and for some, fashion (Cardi-Party here we come!).
EAT
First: Tailgating. It's a giant pre (and post) game party. We see family and old friends, enjoy the outdoors, eat, drink, eat and watch the day's games. Finger foods, BBQ (the real deal barbecue, this is not a reference to grilling. In the South, when we say barbecue, we mean it), burgers and hot dogs, dips, desserts and drinks. Pinterest has made this past time of ours much more enjoyable if you ask us. We love a fun new recipe to try out.
One of our favorite dips is the Captain Rodney's Cheese Bake. If you have not tried this, come in, get a bottle of Captain Rodney's Pepper Glaze ($14). The recipe should be attached to the bottle but in case you need more proof you need to pick this up, here it is (with our tips).
½ cup mayonnaise (yeah, yum.)
8 oz. cream cheese
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 green onions, chopped
Ritz crackers, crushed (however many you want)
8 bacon slices, cooked crisp & crumbled
½ cup Captain Rodney’s Pepper Glaze**
Mix mayonnaise, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and onions together with mixer and spread into greased quiche pan or pie plate. Top with crackers and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Once baked, top with bacon and drizzle Captain Rodney’s Glaze.
*Our main tip for this dip is just to add a little bit of the Captain Rodney's to the body of the dip, not the full 1/2 cup. Sometimes, it can make it slightly soupy. You could also cook down sweet onions to mix in and add the green onions on top after it's baked along with the rest of the bacon and a drizzle of the glaze.*
Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or veggies.
Captain Rodney's also makes Pepper Jelly (which is beyond amazing on top of cream cheese with Wheat Thins or veggies), and Jezebel Sauce (try it on a biscuit, glaze your oven baked ham, or your ham biscuit - you know, just try it however!) Both $12.
DRINK
With tailgating also comes drinks. Beers of all colors and thickness, hot toddys, and wine.
With a Corkcicle ($20), Chillsner (2 for $30) or Vinnebago ($30) you can enjoy your wine and beer (and hot toddy) at the temperature you 
want. The Corkcicle has changed our life. Keep it in the freezer and don't worry about putting your bottle back in the cooler (or Fridge) - it keeps it at the perfect temp. A Chillsner, stick it down in your bottle and drink through an icy slide making your beer cool and refreshing each sip. The Vinnebago: This invention will change how you tailgate (or camp). Nicknamed "The Modern Canteen" it keeps the cold, cold for 25 hours and the hot, hot for 12. If you get one new toy for this year, make it the Vinnebago. (All pictured below)
BE MERRY
What is your favorite tailgating recipe? Leave us a comment and let us know if there is something we need to try. And don't worry, more recipes to come. We have only dusted the surface of our favorite noms, and there are lots more to come.
Check back later this week when we discuss SEC Rivalries and what Football and Fashion mean to one another! You won't want to miss it!
Love, The PZ
