Hot Topics     Home and Family    

Elevate your tailgate with easy-to-make recipes



Concoct a winning game plan

Elevate your tailgate with easy-to-make recipes


Concoct a winning game plan, gather the parking lot games and call the biggest fans you know – it’s tailgating season. This year, before you root on your favorite team, make sure your pregame party matches the intensity of the fourth quarter with recipes that really fire up the crowd.

For a pregame meal that gives diehards the energy they’ll need to stay on their feet, turn to easy-to-prepare Kielbasa and Veggie Kebabs. This tailgate-friendly recipe relies on smoked pork sausage from Coleman Natural Foods that’s blended with flavorful spices, naturally cured with cultured celery powder and sea salt then slow-smoked for rich flavor.

If a morning kickoff at your alma mater calls for a breakfast-friendly beverage, these Chile Bacon Straws offer a perfect complement to a Bloody Mary. With a perfect touch of pizazz, they’re a simple yet impressive garnish that pairs well with other toppings like olives, pickles, peppers and more.

As a delicious way to add bursts of flavor to favorite dishes, pork from Coleman Natural Foods provides premium quality you can feel good about serving to your family and friends whether you’re tailgating in the parking lot or home-gating in your own backyard. It’s humanely raised by family farmers in the U.S. with no antibiotics, added hormones or artificial ingredients to give fans countless ways to elevate favorite game day dishes.

Visit ColemanNatural.com to find more easy-to-prepare tailgate recipes.

Kielbasa and Veggie Kebabs

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 4 wooden skewers
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 bell peppers
  • 2 ears of corn, cut crosswise into 2-inch rounds
  • 1 package Coleman Natural Polish Kielbasa, sliced thick
  • 12 whole mushrooms
  • 12 cherry tomatoes
  1. Soak skewers in water 30 minutes to prevent burning. Preheat grill to 300 F.
  2. Cut red onion, peppers and corn into bite-sized chunks.
  3. Alternate placing kielbasa slices, onion, peppers, corn, mushrooms and tomatoes on skewers.
  4. Grill, rotating every few minutes until veggies are tender, about 20 minutes.

Chile Bacon Straws

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

  • 6 slices Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Bacon
  • 6 wooden skewers
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican spice blend
  • prepared Bloody Marys
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F.

  2. Wrap one bacon slice diagonally around each skewer, making sure to overlap edges of bacon so there are no gaps. Don’t wrap too tightly or it will be difficult to remove skewers; try to ensure each end of bacon ends up on same side of skewer.

  3. Place each wrapped skewer on wire rack set over sheet pan with end seams down. Sprinkle spice blend over each skewer.

  4. Bake 25-30 minutes until bacon is brown, crispy and fully cooked to give straws their shape. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

  5. Gently slide skewers out of each straw using twisting motion.
  6. Insert straws into Bloody Marys.
(Family Features) 


Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • The Bear Mountain Ice Rink is opening for the season

    Join them on November 4th for the first skate

    The Palisades Interstate Park Commission is pleased to announce the opening of the Bear Mountain Ice Rink for the 2023/24 season. Join us on November 4th for the first skate at the rink that was voted Best of the Hudson Valley three years running! read more »
  • Kingston Eats Veggies Campaign builds interest in local produce

    Kingston’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) is piloting “Kingston Eats Veggies,” a vegetable of the month campaign. read more »
  • ASHA announces new developmental milestones for children ages birth to 5

    Checklists will help parents track their child's development

    The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) announces today the free, online availability of new checklists that detail communication (speech, language, and hearing) milestones for children ages birth to 5 years as well as feeding and swallowing milestones for children ages birth to 3 years. These milestones provide parents and caregivers with a roadmap of what to expect during their child's early years of life—and can alert them to the early signs of a potential developmental delay or disorder. read more »
  • How to make higher-quality choices at the grocery store

    Arm yourself with a plan and info

    Grocery shopping can be stressful when there are so many options, especially if you’re making a conscious effort to make high-quality food choices while you shop. Arming yourself with a plan and plenty of information can help you make smarter choices and feel good about the meals you prepare for your family. read more »
  • Self-care for sick days

    Navigate cough, cold and flu season like a pro

    Cooler weather inevitably means cough, cold and flu season isn’t far behind. Now is the time to take precautions and set yourself up with healthy habits. read more »
  • Simplify holiday hosting from start to finish

    It's all in the planning

    Hosting a major holiday event is no small effort. It requires close attention to detail from planning, cooking and cleaning to entertaining guests on the big day. Fortunately, just like any good recipe, approaching your hosting duties one step at a time can allow you to create a magnificent final product. read more »
  • Holiday gift ideas to promote healthy, happy feet

    Give them some love this season

    Want to show your loved ones you truly care? Treat their feet this holiday season. read more »
  • How to handle difficult family dynamics over Thanksgiving

    A neuropsychologist provides helpful tips

    Dealing with difficult family members during Thanksgiving can be challenging, but navigating these situations with patience and understanding is possible. Dr. Aldrich Chan is a Miami, Florida, Neuropsychologist who shares some strategies to help you manage difficult family dynamics during the holiday. read more »
  • 5 tips to keep kids healthy during the holidays

    Make it a priority for everyone

    As the year comes to a close, the weather gets colder and indoor festivities ramp up. Keeping children and their families healthy during the holidays should be a priority for everyone. read more »
  • Take control of your blood pressure

    7 changes to help manage your health

    What you eat and drink, as well as your activity level and habits, affect your heart and brain health and are essential for managing blood pressure, cholesterol and more. High blood pressure is a leading cause and controllable risk factor for heart disease and stroke as well as other issues such as kidney failure, vision loss and sexual problems. read more »