Bar BQ Grills

It seems to be all about football, NASCAR, full contact curling, or whatever sporting event is currently in season right? That is a misconception.

We don't really CARE about whatever team is about to take the field/track/court/ice rink. What we really CARE about is spending time and sharing food with family and friends. I think that's really what "game day" is all about.

So when Bush's Beans offered to sponsor a tailgate event, instead of choosing a professional or college sporting event, I chose one of Trevor's football games. Just three seasons ago he was this little boy (#38 in the picture)...

[Picture to be re-uploaded tonight....grrrrr]

Now he is in his first year at middle school, plays for the Bearden Bulldogs league (#50 in the picture) and hopes to play for Bearden High School in 3 years.


Weather is a key factor in tailgating and our first two attempts were rained out. Fortunately, the third time was the charm and we had a perfect Autumn fall afternoon.


We had issues with space onsite so we tailgated nearby the park. There was plenty of room and the boys threw the football while Alexis and I set up everything.   I say "boys" but they are all college age now.   Three of them have been best friends since we moved to Knoxville 11 years ago.

We cooked everything except the hot dogs at home and then transported it in covered steam pans. All we had to cook on site was the hot dogs and then warm up the Bush's Baked Beans on a small grill.  I like it easy like that.

Since Bearden's teams are the Bulldogs, one of the menu items was "The Bulldawg".  The Bulldawg is an all beef hotdog topped with cheese, chili and onions and we served it with Bush's Homestyle Baked Beans which have a tangier sauce, special cured bacon, and a hint of brown sugar.  The thing about most hot dog chili sauces is that most are "too saucy" for me and end up soaking the bun.  Bulldawg sauce is a little "less saucy".   It is still moist and tangy, just not oozing with sauce.

Ingredients

For the Bulldawg sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat a wide pan over medium high heat.
2. Brown the ground beef, breaking it up into fine pieces with a spatula while it cooks (about 10 minutes).  Remove and drain.  
3. In the same pan, saute the onion and pepper until the onion is softened and translucent (about 5 minutes). 
4. Return the cooked beef to the pan with the onion mix.  Stir in the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes or until sauce is reduced and thickened.
5. Preheat your grill over medium heat and grill the hot dogs for 5 minutes, rotating frequently.
6. Serve hot dogs topped with cheese, then chili, and onion.

Notes

• If you like "saucier" chili, just increase the water to 3/4 cup.  But don't keep asking me for napkins (ha ha)!
• Make ahead and then just warm up on the grill.

Hot dogs taste SOOO much better on the grill than boiled or microwaved.

For hot dog chili, the fine size of the meat makes it easier to spoon into a bun.

I found plates, plasticware, cups and napkins in Bearden colors at the party store.

Bush Beans Tailgating Package Giveaway
Bush Beans is giving away this tailgate package to one of my lucky readers.  As you can see from the pictures above, I received a similar package and have enjoyed using it.  The "stereo cooler" rocks, literally.  You connect your MP3 player or phone (not included) to the powered speaker system and you can listen to tunes or play the radio pre-game show if your MP3 player has a receiver.


The package includes

• Two Bush Beans folding chairs with carry bags
• Bush Beans cooler with powered speaker system (for MP3 player, not included).
• Enough Bush's Baked Beans for 20 guests.
• Twin burger press
• Hot dog grill tray and handle

1. leave a comment below telling me your favorite tailgating dish and which Bush's Baked Beans flavor you would make to accompany it.  The flavors include Original, Homestyle, Maple Cured Bacon, Boston, Country Style, Honey, Onion, Vegetarian, and Bold & Spicy.  (NOTE: If you use the "anonymous comment" option, be sure to leave an email or your screen name in the comment so I can contact you if you are the winner. Something like "EggerinFL from the Egg Forum" or "swibirun from the BBQ Brethren forum" is enough.)
2. Mention the giveaway with a link in Twitter and use the hashtag #BushBeansGameday
3. Mention this giveaway and link to it in a post on your blog.  (Include your URL in a comment so I'll know you did it.)

The Rules

1. Giveaway entry period begins Monday, 12:01pm November 7, 2011 and ends November 14, 2011 11:59pm. Winner will be announced November 15, 2011.
2. Comments will be numbered by order received and random.org will generate a random number for the winner.
3. Limited to residents of the continental US unless you wish to pay the extra shipping charges.
4. I am the final judge regarding any discrepancies, interpretations, grievances, etc about this drawing.
5. Bush Beans is sponsoring the prize. They are not responsible for the drawing or the giveaway.
6. Winner must respond and claim the prize within one week of the winning announcement. If a winner does not claim the prize during the specified time, a reserve winner will be drawn from the original entries.
7. Employees, Board Members, pets, indentured servants, and family of Nibble Me This are not eligible to enter.

This post and giveaway are sponsored in partnership with Bush Beans.  [Standard Disclaimer]