Holiday Bowl 2007-a great tailgate, with 4 hours and 17 minutes of game interrupting it

mmm-yoso is just a little blog about food and things related to food.  Today, Cathy is sharing a small adventure.

Hi, again, everyone!  Hope you are having a nice time during this time of many holidays and parties and anticipating the New Year.  The Mister and I have  one annual event we  *must* attend - the Holiday Bowl- one of 31 college football Bowl Games which are played by chosen ranked teams almost daily starting on December 20 and culminating in #1 versus #2 in the nation playing each other for the title of "National Champion" on January 7, 2008.

Truth be told, we don't really care about the game much; we go to attend a tailgate in the parking lot, with about 100 of our closest friends from around the world (retired and active military as well as Lions, Rotarians and Optimists) not many of whom remember our names; they just know we bring the Garlic Beef.

About 18 pounds this year.  It is small end rib roast, which was on sale at Albertsons, coated with a paste made of chopped garlic (about 5 pounds), oregano and paprika, held together with olive oil, salt and pepper and flashed for about 20 minutes in a 500° oven, then turned down to 325° for about 20 minutes a pound.  We made 6 pounds of rolls to go with, and served with several horseradishes and mustards.  (This "Atomic" horseradish is more pickled, or Kim Chee-ish in flavor and low in heat. One of the ingredients is parsnips)

So, anyhow, this year, 120 people brought some sort of food-and drink- to share, and we caught up on the past year when we really did not see each other much.

This table had mostly desserts.  That bowl was filled with chopped fresh fruit and sangria.  The yellow sheet pan in front was the most wonderful Italian ricotta based cheesecake which had rum soaked raisins in it (I have the recipe)...there were a few "regifted" items also, like Kirkland (Costco) brand Belgian chocolate cups, which were wonderful, and many homemade cookies and fudges.

There were sandwiches and pizza from Filippi's, turkey wraps from Costco.

As you can see, a variety of items to share... there were three different "seven layer dips" and chips also, as well as barbecued and fried chicken...shrimp, sweet potato casserole, pasta salad, cole slaw...raw veggies and dip...you know  FOOD!

This year, Mr. T could "only" find a 24 pound turkey to smoke starting at 3 a.m. the night before (it was still steaming hot when he cut into it).

Mr. T's turkey is always stuffed with his famous rice stuffing, which I crave on this annual basis.

I am so sorry; I cannot rotate this photo on my iBook or on the PC, so turn your head. 

All in all, there were eight tables packed solid with food from our group,

Along with three portable grills...

So, at about 4 p.m., we had to pack up everything and go inside the stadium, looking back and the full parking lot then finding our seats and watching the opening ceremonies (the unfurling of the U.S. flag across the entire length of the playing field, by the U.S. Marines, the flyover of the four F/A-18 Hornets from the  Marine Corps Air Station Miramar) Then the coin toss, the start of the game (when it was 53° inside the stadium...up until-finally- the end of the first quarter, when it was 40° inside the stadium) (there were a tremendous amount of game delays due to reviews by the officials), to sideline events (the photo of the awarding of the Weinerschnitzel Weiner National Championship Winner is one of those up there) to -finally- half time and the Marching bands, during which the Texas Band did a very nice routine in a traditional manner and the Arizona State Band did some unusual musical tributes, including Guns N Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" and Lynard Skynard "Freebird" done with marching band instrumentation..and finally the High School marching bands joining together in a tribute to the 70's in a disco themed performance and ending in fireworks.

Usually the football game is close all the way, but this time, the University of Texas had the highest scoring (21 points) first quarter in 27 (of 30) Holiday Bowl games.  So, anyhow, the game went *really* long (4 hours, 17 minutes) and a bunch of our group (as well as most of the stadium crowd) left before the game was over, but not all of us!

Yep; back out to the parking lot for leftovers...but since so many people had left, we "only" had three tables of leftover food to share.

and gallons of hot apple cider.   Unfortunately, the people who usually bring the turkey chili could not make it this year, and the people who bring the hot water for the instant coffee (and Irish Whiskey additive), forgot the hot water thermoses at home.

We enjoyed our leftovers and hot beverages as we waited for the parking lot to empty. 

I hope all of you have enjoyed your holidays also.  One more to go!

Comments

[Carol]

Now that's a tailgate party! I would all over that garlic beef!

[Carol]

I totally had a brain freeze and forgot to wish you and the Mister a Happy New Year! (That goes for Kirk and Ed, as well.) :-D

[Emily]

always the best, my inspiration and it's that time of year again so here’s wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year, good friends, good food, and good fortune!

[ed (from Yuma)]

Great post. I love potlucks - at least when people take them seriously (it is FOOD after all). Looks like a great feast. Too bad the game was a bummer.

Happy New Year!!!

Is it a positive sign that the new year will be 2000ate?

[Cathy]

Hi Carol- the garlic beef is what we are known for...people do not remember our names, but see us drive up and casually ask if we brought the beef again this year...It is a very fun tailgate, with the "miracle meal" happening each time we all get together with these great, fun people...Thanks for the wishes and I hope you and yours have a great 2008 also!
Hello and welcome, Emily- thanks for the kind words! I love your blog. I suppose your new year has started already. Enjoy it!
Hey, ed- Thanks. We so enjoy our little feast and look forward to it annually. Yes, most of us are there for the food and not the game. This makes it all so much more fun. Great wording, I'm going to use it-a lot-. I am so glad we all appreciate food. Makes life easy.

[Tammy]

Hey Cathy!
What is your recipe for the home made rolls? I'm going to a tail gating party in Nov and I'm in charge of food. I saw your post about the "rolls" and was wondering if you can spill some secrets on how to make the rolls. I would buy them at the store but I would rather make my own. Homemade is way better!

[Cathy]

Hi Tammy- it is way too easy and involves the word "Bridgeford"...
Everybody comments about how good the rolls are and how they have never had anything like them before.
I'll email you.