Steak Enthusiast

Tailgating means different things to different people.

You first have your back-of-the-truck, hang-out-in-the-stadium-parking-lot group. I adore this bunch of fun-loving, team-spirited folks. They’re there for their team, sacrificing comfort for duty. Honorable and dedicated.

No matter the weather, they’re out there – blizzard, 100-degree temperatures, driving rain, you name it. They’re like the postmen of the tailgating arts.

Then, you have your decked-out-RV group who camps out for a week before the big game, bringing with them tents, music, TVs, folding tables and chairs, extensive grills, preparation for any kind of weather – and maybe even their own bathroom.

This group knows what they’re doing and they are in it to win it. A game is an event to be celebrated and they’re serious. The accommodations are pretty nice, too.

And, of course, you’ve got your living room fans who prefer to “tailgate” in the comfort of their own homes in front of the TV. I most often fall into this category. I’m into comfort (and central heating and air conditioning). Hey, it doesn’t mean I love my team any less.

And I’ve been a part of all three groups. I love them all equally. They’re just different types of tailgaters.

But one thing ALL tailgaters have in common?

A laser focus on food. Food and drink are what drive the tailgating experience.

On that, we can all agree.

So what type of food makes for a great tailgate experience? The answer is: Whatever you want!

I’m a steak enthusiast, so I like to grill up steaks wherever I am. Whether in my own backyard or in a stadium parking lot, steaks are always on the menu for me.

But steakburgers fit the bill, too!

You won’t walk by a tailgating crew without smelling burgers on the grill. Beautiful, delicious burgers. Not gonna happen. And rightfully so! Burgers have earned their place in the Tailgating Hall of Fame food category.

So tell me, how do you like to tailgate and what are YOU eating while you do it?

You’re ready to prepare a meal that will go down in history. But it’s time for something slightly different.

So what does a steak enthusiast eat on days off from eating steaks?

Steakburgers!

Come on, I know it’s not just me.

And if you’re like me, and I know that you are, you have some delicioso burger recipes up your sleeve.

Come on, spill em. I’ll go first.

Let’s just start with the cheeseburger recipes, shall we?

One amazing way to add some variety to your cheeseburger is to mix up the type of cheese you use.

American and cheddar are nice and standard and always delicious, but what about blue cheese? Gruyere? Swiss?

Or how about using a nutty Asiago? Or sprinkling on a Greek Feta cheese? Different taste, different texture. Different experience.

Still cheese.

And still delicious.

After you’ve chosen your own special cheese selection comes the real fun part – accessorizing!

Like the perfect handbag, nail color, necklace, tie or handkerchief, your burger accessories can make or break the whole deal.

You can add condiments to your cheeseburger like fresh catsup, homemade mayonnaise, mustard or relish for a simple taste.

Then get a little more daring and add lettuce, mushrooms, pickles, BACON!, onions, and throw on another burger pattie. Make it a double decker!

You can really go wild and introduce onion rings or even anchovies to the mix. Come up with your own concoction and see what flavors make sweet music together!

Speaking of sweet, have you ever added something sweet to your cheeseburger? How about sliced strawberries, apples or peaches as a cheeseburger layer? It’s a flavor combination that takes a special palate to please – but that palate might just be yours!

What are your favorite cheeseburger recipe ideas? Share them in the comments below so we can all enjoy!

It’s time to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall, cooler weather, sweaters, football and falling leaves.

But before we do, let’s give summer one last hurrah, shall we? With food, of course!

Let’s head outside one last time, wearing our swimsuits and sleeveless shirts, shorts and floppy hats. And let’s have an end-of-summer cookout!

Think of it as a goodbye tour for your grill. If yours is anything like mine, it got quite a workout this summer and it’s about to get a bit of well-earned rest. Not totally. But it won’t be working overtime anymore.

So what do we think of when we think summer recipes?

Steaks are always on my list! (But you knew that.)

I’ll be grilling up some filet mignon and ribeyes for my End-of-Summer Steakfest. And maybe try some of these delicious steak recipes like Grilled Ribeye Steak in a juicy marinade or this fabulous Grilled Filet with Shellfish Butter. What a refreshing mix of surf and turf!

Have you ever tried a Medeira Butter Sauce for Filet Mignon? Now might be the time! Just grill up some filet mignon and drizzle this excellent sauce over your steaks and some mashed potatoes. Dine al fresco and it’ll be an end-of-summer treat!

Don’t forget to follow the Grilling Chart and Cooking Tips for each cut you choose. They really help guide you to a perfect finished product. And don’t forget the Grilling Timer App, too, if you’re a smartphone junkie! It’s so easy to use.

I like it when some of the thinking is done for me. I’m still hanging on to those lazy days of summer.

What will you be cooking for your summer send-off? I hope it includes some fresh summer fruit, a tasty salad and lots and lots of grilled beef!

Bye bye summer and hello fall!