‘Tis the season to have a cookout in the parking lot! Baseball season, that is!

And to have a successful tailgating experience, you’ve gotta have a plan. So here’s mine…

THINK AHEAD

How many people will be joining you? After you figure that number, add 10. Making friends with other tailgaters is the norm, not the exception. So bring enough plates, napkins, utensils, condiments, drinks, food and fun for that many. Hey, leftovers are always welcome. Oh, and bring a cooler just for leftovers.

THINK COMPACT

Bring a portable grill (think camping style) for your chef. Plus grill supplies. Nothing that needs plugging in, unless you have a generator or other power source.

MAKE A MENU

Go with tried and true favorites – burgers, hot dogs, buns, chips, drinks and condiments. Anything unusual at a tailgate party and you might not have takers. Then what will they eat? And don’t forget dessert!

GET COMFORTABLE

Bring lots of folding chairs and at least one table. You’ve got to have a place to set all this stuff! Make it inviting for folks to hang around and talk about your favorite team. A tent to shade your group from the sun is also a great idea. Your relish and mayonnaise will thank you, too.

HAVE FUN!

Make lasting memories with your friends and family – all while eating your favorite foods! It’s a WIN/WIN!

Photos courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Summertime’s baseball time! And one BIG reason we like to go to the ball park? Why, the food, of course!

Bring the excitement of the ball park home with a ball park inspired menu and it’ll be a home run for sure!

Start with …

HOT DOGS

I mean, how can you not start there? Hot dogs, franks, frankfurters – whatever you want to call them – make sure to have lots of condiments – sauerkraut, relish, mustard, the works! Just make sure it’s Kansas City beef for the best taste.

Then offer …

BURGERS

Hot dogs and burgers just go together. And at the ball park, you ALWAYS get a choice.

Then make sure to have …

BEER-BATTERED ONION RINGS

Absolute perfection. And they go with everything. Try this recipe for killer rings!

And finish up with …

GRAND SLAM CUPCAKES

Cupcakes in the spirit of baseballs with licorice laces. Adorable and delicious. Get the recipe here.

Have fun creating your own customized menu and bring the ball park to your house!

Let’s dispel some common misconceptions about our favorite pastime, shall we?

Okay, you’ve got your gourmet steaks ready, the grill is lit – should you leave the cover open or shut?

That depends on how quickly you want them finished. Thicker steaks should probably be grilled with the lid shut – especially USDA prime steaks. And if you are concerned about charred food you may want to leave the lid open so you can put out flare-ups quickly. They can happen with the lid closed and you won’t even know it.

So how often should the grill be cleaned?

The answer is simple. Before every new grilling session. Leftover particles may contain bacteria – and we don’t want any of that! Be sure to let the grill heat up nice and hot before putting your meat on to let the heat burn off anything you didn’t get with the brush.

Should you coat your grill with oil to avoid sticking?

That depends on your personal preference. But many of us don’t want the fat content associated with oils so layering with foil is a great alternative or use a grill basket. Baskets are fun to use, too!

Want more answers to your “burning” questions about grilling? Check out our friends over BBQMyths.com‘s advice. You’ll be glad you did!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.