Projo Football Food & Spirits

We don’t see many cookbooks come from television networks, unless we’re talking the Food Network. But Fox Sports has just published the ultimate guide to tailgating for both pro or college teams.

I guess I expected it to be a lot of pretty-boy announcer recipes but instead I found a one-stop sourcebook that includes everything they need to throw a tailgate party.

The Fox Sports Tailgating Handbook (Globe Pequot, $16.95), by Stephen Linn, includes a handful of recipes but there’s a lot more stuff in this book. There are Top 5 lists for the best grills, smokers, coolers, chairs, and tailgate toys. There’s a page dedicated to each NFL and NCAA Division I-A team, complete with detailed team information, venue options, local rules, and tips on which parking lots have to be staked out the night before.

“Tailgating is a part of our social fabric,” writes Linn. “There is a communal passion among tailgaters. It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t experienced it, but once you’ve tailgated you tend to want to go back again. And again…”

One of the recipes comes from the chief nutritionist of Jenny Craig. Lisa Talamini said that you eliminate a lot of fat cooking pork tenderloin on the grill instead of ribs.

MARGARITA PORK KEBABS
2 cups margarita drink mix
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 tablespoons butter, softened
4 teaspoons lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoon minced parsley
4 ears corn, cut into 16 pieces
2 large green or red pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes

Combine margarita mix, coriander and garlic. Place pork cubes in heavy plastic bag; pour marinade over to cover. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Blend together the butter, lime juice, sugar and parsley. Set aside.

Thread pork cubes onto skewers, alternating with pieces of corn and pepper. (If using bamboo skewers, soak in the ice in your cooler for 20 minutes before using so you won’t have a fire.)

Grill and baste with the butter mixture, turning frequently. They should cook in 15 to 20 minutes.

Serves 4.

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