Could it be possible that tailgate parties may soon be allowed in Ontario? Having recently attended a tailgate party at a football game in the U.S., we can see what all the fuss is about. It’s a great way to enjoy the company of others in an outdoor, party-like atmosphere while cheering on your favourite team. And, of course, there’s great food (and a few beverages) to be enjoyed.
If you are invited to a tailgate party, picnic or backyard barbecue, we have some great recipes to share for outdoor entertaining. Grab your lawn chairs and cooler and get set for summer fun.
Summer Salad Niçoise
Enjoy this traditional French salad with a new twist – the dressing is made with dairy-free, trans-fat-free Tofutti Sour Supreme.
6 small new potatoes
1/2 lb green beans, trimmed and sliced in half
3 eggs
1 head bibb or iceberg lettuce
1/4 cup olives, pitted
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 can tuna packed in water, drained (optional)
Dressing: 1 container Tofutti Sour Supreme; juice of 1 lemon; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp dried basil; 1/2 tsp salt; pepper, to taste. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and stir. Refrigerate until time to serve.
Wash and scrub potatoes but leave skin intact. Place potatoes in a large pot; add water to cover. Cook for approximately 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain, cool, and then cut each potato in half.
Place a steamer basket in a medium-sized pot; add 2 inches of water. Steam green beans for approximately 5 to 6 minutes or until tender crisp. Drain beans, place in bowl to cool, and set aside.
In the same pot, fill halfway with water and add eggs. Bring to a boil, set timer for 10 minutes, and then turn down heat to a rolling boil. Cook eggs until they are hard-boiled. When timer rings, drain the water from the pot and immediately run cold water over the eggs. Let cool and then remove the shells. Cut each egg in half and set aside.
Wash lettuce, spin to dry, and then cut leaves into small pieces and place in a large salad bowl. Top with cooked and cooled beans and potatoes. Add olives and tomatoes. Open can of tuna, drain and flake, and add on top of the salad.
To serve, pour dressing (recipe above) over salad and stir lightly to coat.
Homestyle Hamburgers
Hamburgers just like Mom used to make!
2 lb lean ground beef (or ground chicken)
1 egg
1 envelope dried onion soup mix
1 red onion, minced
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
1 tbsp your favourite barbecue sauce (optional)
Additional toppings: freshly sliced tomatoes and onions, mustard, relish and our special Tofutti “mayo” – mix 1 container Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese with 1 clove garlic, minced.
In a very large mixing bowl, add ground beef or chicken and, using a wooden spoon, break up into pieces. Crack an egg and add it to the mixture. Add onion soup mix, along with the onion, bread crumbs and barbecue sauce. Stir until mixture is combined as well as possible.
Wash your hands, and finish mixing using your hands. Form meat mixture into patties and place on a foil-lined cookie tray. Cover tray with plastic wrap, and store burgers in the fridge until ready to barbecue.
When ready, place patties on a preheated grill and cook through. Remove from grill and place burgers on buns. Top with special “mayo” (recipe above), relish, mustard, big slices of tomatoes and freshly sliced onion, and serve.
