With fall being in full swing, it is peak tailgating time! I was recently at a tailgate this weekend for the Millersville Ice Hockey team, and I was not only in a food coma, but very inspired for my article – especially with homecoming approaching! Naturally, my first instinct was to peruse the internet, so these recipes are all compliments of Pinterest.
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Hot Caramel Apple Cider
Nothing says fall like hot apple cider, however this particular recipe is for Collegiette’s who are of legal drinking age – sorry youngin’s!  This recipe serves 4 and takes just a few minutes, so you can adjust accordingly (the cider to alcohol ratio is 4:1 in case that helps you).
Ingredients:
– 4 mugs worth of apple cider
– 1 mugs  worth of caramel vodka
– 1 tablespoon cinnamon
– ÂĽ tablespoon brown sugar
Directions:
1. Mix the cinnamon and cider into a pot and heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until the cider just begins to steam.
2. While the cider is warming up, rim the mugs with the brown sugar
3. Quickly stir in the caramel vodka. Make sure not to overheat or else the alcohol will burn off.
4. Once the cider and vodka are completely mixed, remove from the heat and ladle into the mugs.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
With fall comes everything pumpkin. These muffins are the perfect mix of pumpkin and chocolate to satisfy any cravings of either!
Ingredients:
– 1 can pumpkin
– 2 eggs
– ½ cup sour cream
– ½ cup brown sugar
– ÂĽ cup granulated sugar
– 5 tbsp. melted butter
– ÂĽ cup milk
– 2 cups all purpose flour
– 1 tbsp. baking powder
– ½ tsp. salt
– 1 ½ tbsp. cinnamon
– ½ cup chopped walnuts
– ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Add pumpkin, eggs, sour cream, sugars and butter to a mixing bowl and stir well.
3. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
4. Stir in the dry ingredients to the pumpkin batter a little at a time, then add the milk.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
6.  Spoon the batter into a greased muffin pan.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Remove the muffins from the oven and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
9. Let cool for 5 mintes, then transfer to a cooling rack
(Serves 16, takes 40 minutes)
Grilled Potato Wedge French Fries
Prayers are answered, ladies! These potato wedge fries are enough to satisfy any fry craving, however they aren’t fried which is perfect for those looking for a healthier tailgate find.
Ingredients:
– 1-2 lbs potatoes (can include but not limited to: red skinned new potato, russet, Yukon gold and sweet potatoes)
– Olive oil or canola oil
– Sea Salt
– Cracked black pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat the grill to medium high and while the grill is heating, clean and scrub potatoes.
2. Cut potatoes into 1 ½ inch wedges, keeping pieces as consistent as possible so they cook evenly.
3. Toss and coat the potato wedges with enough oil so they glisten. Sprinkle with some salt, pepper and/or any other seasonings or sauces as desired. Combine well with your hands.
4. Grill until the potatoes are marked and the centers are soft, about 8-10 minutes each side, flipping once.
* If the potatoes stick to the grill, let them cook a few more minutes before flipping. Reduce the heat on your grill if you feel like they are going to burn.
Tailgate Crockpot Chili
This recipe takes a little more time to make. But it is easy to transport and certainly easy to enjoy.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb. ground beef
– 1 onion
– 1 29oz. can tomato puree
– 1 15oz. can: black beans, chick peas, kidney beans
– 3 tbsp. chili powder
– 1 tsp. cumin
– ½ cup water
– Mexican blend cheese
– Sour cream
– Tortilla chips
Directions:
1. Brown and strain ground beef.
2. Rinse beans and chop onion.
3. Mix all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
4. Garnish with sour cream and cheese.
5. Serve with tortilla chips
Photo Credits:Â
http://cooking-in-college.com/tag/hot-caramel-apple-cider/
http://writingpaddad.blogspot.com/2012/12/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffins.html
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2009/08/02/grilled-potato-wedges/
http://www.examiner.com/article/redskins-tailgating-the-best-slow-cooker-chili-recipe