Fan Fare

A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home

by Debbie Moose

Food is as vital of a component in the ritual of tailgating as the sporting event itself. The pre-game parking lot experience wouldn’t be complete without bratwursts and burgers smoking on the grill, coolers filled with beer and loads of home-packed side dishes. For serious tailgaters and game-watchers who are not content with just chips and dip, author Debbie Moose has compiled recipes from her own collection and from fellow sports enthusiasts in Fan Fare. The recipes are divided into game-themed chapters: “Kickoff” starts with snacks, appetizers and drinks, “Hot Streak” involves main courses and “Overtime” brings on desserts.

Recipes for standard game-viewing fare, such as nachos and chili, are included along with more inventive dishes. “Marylynn’s Okra Roll-Ups” are a Southern interpretation of sushi rolls, made with an okra pod and cream cheese wrapped in a slice of ham. Traditional wings are spiced up with the “Tandoori Touchdown Wings” recipe, which calls for cinnamon, turmeric, garam masala and a mint-mango chutney. The range of recipes in the book is impressively comprehensive, but noticeably missing are photos of the dishes, the presence of which would have taken Fan Fare from the ten-yard line to a touchdown.

Reviewed by Emily Tsay

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