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So I have been hearing all about this new way to stay in touch called Twitter. Chalk it up to another one of those Web 2.0 things where users can create a free account and write small updates on anything going on in their lives. They call it micro-blogging because you are only allowed up to a maximum of 140 characters per message. They make it easy because you can even update Twitter via text message on your mobile phone. Since it is free and I have heard a lot of people rave about it, I decided to give it a shot.

For tailgaters it might be a great way to stay in touch with your other tailgating friends. Once you park and start to set up, update your twitter profile with your exact location so they can find you. Update your Twitter with what you are grilling that day. Micro-blog that the opposing fans parked next to you are acting like a bunch of idiots. On second thought, this may be a lot of fun.

If you are already a user go ahead and follow me on Twitter.

This recipe appears courtesy of the Hass Avocado Board and Jay DiEugenio, a.k.a “The Tailgate Guy” and author of the “I Got Your Tailgate Party Right Here!” cookbook series.

Hass Avocado Stuffed Marinated Mushrooms

Serves: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

* 2 (8 oz.) boxes fresh white mushrooms
* 2/3 cup prepared balsamic dressing
* 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
* 1 tsp. coarse ground garlic salt
* 1 green onion, finely chopped
* 2 ripe, fresh Hass avocados, halved, seeded and scooped out
* 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

1. Using a wet paper towel, wipe all mushrooms to remove any soil.
2. Pop out mushroom stems. Place mushroom caps in a sealable plastic bag and add salad dressing, making sure all the mushrooms are coated with dressing. Marinate the mushrooms for 30 minutes.
3. Remove mushrooms from dressing and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice, garlic salt, onion and avocados. Coarsely mash, combining all ingredients. Spoon avocado mixture into a sealable plastic bag and seal tightly.
5. Push mixture away from one of the bottom corners of the bag. Using scissors cut a small hole in this corner of the plastic bag. Squeeze a generous amount of the avocado mixture through the hole in the bag into each mushroom cap and sprinkle with feta cheese. Serve.

Per serving: 178 calories; 17 grams fat (3.6 sat, 6.4 mono, 5.3 poly); 6.25 mg cholesterol; 253 mg sodium; 6.7 grams carbohydrate; 1.8 grams fiber; 3.4 grams protein

*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.

This recipe appears courtesy of the Hass Avocado Board and Jay DiEugenio, a.k.a “The Tailgate Guy” and author of the “I Got Your Tailgate Party Right Here!” cookbook series.

Stuffed Hamburgers with Hass Avocado and Jarlsberg Cheese

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup coarse ground mustard
* 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
* 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
* 1 1/2 tsp. prepared steak seasoning

* 1 ripe, fresh Hass avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
* 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
* 1 head garlic, roasted
* 4 slices Jarlsberg cheese
* 4 ciabatta rolls, sliced and toasted on the grill
* 24 baby arugula leaves, rinsed thoroughly and dried
* 2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced in 1/4-inch thick rounds

Instructions

1. Combine mayonnaise and mustard, set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine meat, Worcestershire sauce and steak seasoning. Mix well. Divide meat mixture into equal portions per serving and form each portion into two thin patties, set aside.
3. Gently combine avocado and lemon juice, making sure all avocado is dressed.
4. Top half of the patties with the avocado mixture and squeeze the contents of two roasted garlic cloves on top of the avocado mixture on each patty. Then top each with another patty pinching to seal, forming a smooth edge.
5. Grill over medium-hot coals for 5-6 minutes per side or until no longer pink inside. Just before removing from the grill, place a slice of cheese on each patty and allow to melt. Place ciabatta rolls cut side down on the grill to toast. Remove burgers and rolls from the grill.
6. To prepare sandwich: Spread mayonnaise mustard mixture on both sides of each roll. On the bottom slice of each roll place arugula, tomato slices and grilled meat. Finish with roll top.

Tip: To make roasted garlic: Slice 1/4-inch off top of garlic head (opposite of root end). Place in oven-proof pan, root side down, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in a 350ºF oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool. Separate cooked cloves and use as desired. Delicious as a spread on toasted bread.

Per serving: 875 calories; 56 grams fat (20 sat, 18.6 mono, 8.7 poly); 180 mg cholesterol; 1,435 mg sodium; 36 grams carbohydrate; 3 grams fiber; 58.3 grams protein

*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.

Good BBQ sauce at a tailgate party is as necessary as chips at a poker table. I came home today to find a care package waiting on my doorstep that contained Buccaneer Blends BBQ Sauces. In the box were a selection of flavors including Fra Diavlo, Mesquite, Sticky Rum, Apple Maple, Pirate’s Original, Swashbucklin’ Spicy and Honey Mango.

They just arrived today so I can’t say if they are any good just yet but the flavors that intrigue me the most are the Sticky Rum and Swashbucklin’ Spicy. I’ll give a few of the flavors a test drive this week and let you know this weekend how they taste. If you can’t wait for my opinion, you can get some directly from their website or use their store locator to find where they sell some Buccaneer Blends BBQ Sauce in your area.

In the meantime, check out one of their recipes they have available on their website.

Mesquite Top Round Steak

INGREDIENTS
* 1 ½ lbs Top round steak
* 1 bottle Buccaneer Blends™ Mesquite Sauce
* 8 Roma tomatoes
* 1 large sweet or red onion
* 1 clove garlic
* ½ cup fresh Basil
* 2 TBLSP olive oil
* Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS
Place steak into a large zip-top bag and pour the sauce over steak. Marinate for at least one hour. Core the tomatoes and cut in half length wise, score the top and bottom of the onion, mince the garlic and chop the basil. Preheat grill to medium high heat. Brush tomatoes and onion with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place vegetables on the grill with cut sides down. Cook until the bottoms are slightly browned. Turn vegetables over and continue cooking until soft. Place in a stainless steel bowl and cover with cling wrap. Remove steak from marinade, discarding any excess, used marinade. Cook steak to desired doneness, turning only once. Let steak rest while completing the relish. Remove the skins from the tomatoes and roughly chop along with the onion. Add the remaining ingredients; mix well and season with salt and pepper.

It’s Tuesday and that means it time for another gallery of a girl you would love to take tailgating. This week it is the lovely Jana Cova. She’s originally from the Czech Republic and I doubt she has done much tailgating there before coming stateside. Either way, she is a stunner and deserves some recognition in the Tuesday T&A. Full gallery available after the jump.

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You’ve seen cornhole, original washers, horseshoes, single hole washers, blong ball and all other types of tossing games while tailgating. I’ll bet you have never seen Washeroos. This new tailgating game is a lot like single hole washers with a twist, er, I should say ‘bounce’. Washeroos is different than any other type of washers tailgate game in that it incorporates a suspended, bouncing rubber mat in it’s design. That means a washer that lands on the top of the mat can potentially be bounced in by the following washer. Every washer tossed has the potential of falling in the hole. This makes for competitive games, great comebacks and thrilling finishes.

I had the opportunity to check out Washeroos and here is my video review.

If you skipped the video, in a nutshell I enjoyed this game a lot. I had so much fun playing this game I am adding it to my list of regular gear to take tailgating. The construction is top notch, made right here in the U.S.A. in Columbus, Ohio, and they are easy to transport and set up. They also take up less room than standard cornhole boards in your vehicle on the way to tailgate.

The basic rules and scoring are a bit different as well. The ultimate goal to winning is to score 21 points and win by two. A washer landing on the mat is one (1) point, a ‘leaner’, washer on the mat and hanging over the hole is two (2) points, and a ‘ringer’, falling into the hole onto the grass or asphalt is three (3) points. Scoring is all or nothing meaning only one player or team can score points per round. The player with the most points in each round adds that amount to their total score. The other player gets no points added to their total score. If the score happens to be tied in a round, it is considered a “push” and neither team receives any points.

You’ll notice that in the video that we took turn tossing our washers. That was done to demonstrate the way the Washeroos boards provide bounce and play during the game. (It would have been boring watching me miss all four of my washers in a row.) In a normal game, one player tosses all four of his/her washers, leaving them where they fall. The next player then tosses all four of their washers. Where the washers finally land after all players have taken their turn is where they are scored. washers may bounce off the grass or asphalt onto the unit, be knocked into the hole by another washer or opponent’s washer, get knocked off the board by a washer, etc. It really doesn’t matter how the washer gets there as long as the players toss their washers from 20 feet away. A complete list of rules for 2 player, 3 player and teams of two is included with each Washeroos game.

You can get your own set of Washeroos right here from TailgatingIdeas.com. The Washeroos Complete Game Set (includes two bases and three sets of four 2″ powder coated washers) sells for $79.99 plus $15.00 flat rate shipping. The Washeroos Single Base Game Set (includes one base and three sets of four 2″ powder coated washers) is $44.99 plus $10.00 flat rate shipping. Washeroos can be shipped to anywhere in the United States. Foreign and international orders may require special shipping and handling. Please contact us prior to ordering if from outside the United States.

No matter what time of year you are tailgating, you’ll need some protection from the outside elements. Nothing ruins a tailgate party more than rain. During summer and early fall tailgate parties you to have shade or you will melt right there in the parking lot.  Every tailgater thinks they have to go out and get one of those 10′ x 10′ Pop-up canopy tents for some much needed shade. Now there is a cheaper, faster, lightweight and easier alternative called the Tailgator Sunshade. (Click on images to see full size)

The Tailgator Sunshade is a lightweight tailgating canopy that provides the same amount of shade as those EZ-Up tents but requires only one person to set up, is less bulky, packs lighter and is less expensive. The concept is the Tailgator Sunshade attaches to your SUV tailgate and uses those flexible, folding poles you would normally find in a camping tent. Rather than go into tremendous detail on how to set up the Tailgator Sunshade, just watch the 2 minute video to see how easy and fast it is to set it up. (Plus the girl doing the demo is MILFtastic.)

I set up mine using our Lincoln Navigator and I discovered that our lift gate is not metal. It is actually fiberglass. Of course, the long magnet would not stick on the fiberglass tailgate but it did not matter. The tension created by the bungee cords was enough to keep the Tailgator Sunshade firmly in place.

One of the major advantages the Tailgator Sunshade has over other portable canopies is it takes less space during transport. It lays flatter and is shorter than a 10′ x 10′ canopy when folded and is a lot less bulky. It is also much lighter and leaves a lot more room in your vehicle for more important stuff, like, you know, beer.

I didn’t put a clock on myself but I would estimate that it took me about three to five minutes to set up the Tailgator Sunshade all by myself. You can set up an EZ-Up by yourself but it takes a little more time and effort doing it solo. I would imagine set-up of the Tailgator Sunshade would have gone faster had I had a second person inserting the flexible poles in one sleeve while I was doing another. If you are normally the first one to the parking lot and then the rest of your tailgate party joins you later, you need a Tailgator Sunshade.

So here is the tale of the tape. The Tailgator Sunshade provides the same amount of shade/rain protection (approximately 100 square feet) while being lighter and more compact during travel and easier to set up than traditional pop-up canopy tents. All that and it sells for less than $100 shipped to your door. I’m sold.

You can get your own Tailgator Sunshade directly from Tailgating Ideas. The Tailgator Sunshade sells for $79.99 plus $20.00 flat rate shipping to anywhere in the United States. For the mathematically challenged, that’s $99.99 out the door.