(South Island Living magazine recently featured this story, written and styled by KathyMillerTime.)

 March is an exciting month. On Amelia Island,  March brings the excitement of  Concours d’Elegance. (The Amelia Island 2018 Concours d’Elegance will be Celebrating 23 years Thursday, March 8-Sunday, March 11.)

But people all over the country will  be celebrating March Madness…that crazy time of year when 68 NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball teams square off to determine the college National Champion.  Office pools, tournament brackets, and viewing parties will be the talk of the sports world during March.

I encourage you to join a group, fill out a bracket, and gather with friends to celebrate Round 1 & 2 (March15-18th); the Sweet Sixteen (March 22-23), The Elite Eight(March 24-25), The Final Four (March 31) and the final game (April 2).

Here are a few recipes to try at your homegating party.  At publishing deadline for this article in South Island Living (early February) these 4 schools were ranked 1-4.  Let’s see who makes it to The Big Dance!

#1  Villanova (Philadelphia, Pa) “Wildcats”

Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK SLIDERS

Serving Size: 6-8

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Ingredients

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (packaged "stuck together")
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3/4 pound ribeye steak, thinly sliced (to get the thinnest slices, place in freezer 45 minutes, then slice as thin as possible.  Or purchase sliced steak found in the freezer section of grocery store).
• salt to taste
• 1 medium diced onion
• 1 cup diced green and red peppers
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 8 slices of Provolone Cheese or 1 1/2 cups shredded
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Slice party rolls in half, horizontally and place in a 13x9 inch baking dish.
3. Heat cast iron skillet to medium.  Add 1 tablespoon butter.  Add sliced steak and salt to taste.   Let sit 1 minute to develop a crust.  After the minute, stir and cook until desired doneness.  Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Add 1 tablespoon butter and salute minced onion until lightly caramelized (about 5 minutes).
5. Add the diced green and red peppers and cook 3-5 minutes.  Set aside.
6. Spread cut side of rolls with mayonnaise.
7. Spread cooked steak on rolls.
8. Layer onions and peppers next.
9. Spread provolone cheese over onions and peppers.
10. Cover with top half of rolls.
11. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and add the garlic powder.
12. Drizzle over tops of sliders. Cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees 10 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until cheese is melted and tops are light brown.
13. Separate and serve the indiviual sliders or let guests just "help themselves"  pulling apart.

Notes

To keep warm at a tailgate I use the Pyrex microwaveable Hot Pack in a Pyrex Portable container.

By KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

# 2 University of Virginia, (Charlottesville, Va)  “Cavaliers”

Thomas Jefferson Corn Pudding

Thomas Jefferson Corn Pudding

Serving Size: 4

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Ingredients

• 2 cans shoe peg corn, drained
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 tablespoon of sugar (or less)
• sprinkle of salt

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients and place in a quiche dish. Bake 325 for 30 minutes.

Notes

I usually use fresh corn cut off the cob. During the winter months fresh home grown corn is hard to come by. I included this recipe in honor of Thomas Jefferson and his beloved University of Virginia.

By KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

#3 Purdue (West Lafayette, Indiana) “Boilermakers”

Woo Hoo Chili Boilermaker Style

Chili is always a popular choice for your homegate, tailgate viewing party.  This recipe is from Plantation resident Nina Johnson, a Georgia fan…I have always heard about Boilermaker Chili and I think Nina’s is  perfect…just add a half can of beer to make it a Boilermaker!

Woo-Hoo Chili

Serving Size:

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Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground turkey or ground beef
• 1 package sweet Italian Turkey sausage or Italian sausage (remove casings)
• Kitchen Bouquet
• Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Splenda brown sugar or regular brown sugar
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (can use the other half for garnish)
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• garlic, chopped
• 1 package McCormick Original Chili Seasoning mix
• 1/2 package Frenchs Original Chili Seasoning mix
• 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes,
• 1 small can Rotell original tomatoes with green chilis
• tomato paste
• chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 can shoepeg corn (or frozen corn)
• 2 or 3 cans pinto beans
• 1 can black beans

Instructions

1. Brown two packs of Ground Turkey, (or ground beef) and one pack of sweet Italian Turkey sausage or regular sweet Italian sausage (casings removed) in a large pot.
2. Chop and stir consistently at high heat to brown.
3. Add “some” Kitchen Bouquet, worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Splenda brown sugar (or regular brown sugar).
4. Drain meat in a strainer, leaving some drippings in the pot.
5. Add one large onion, red and green pepper, and garlic.
6. Saute just a bit!
7. Add one pack of McCormick original Chili seasoning, and one half pack of Frenchs original Chile Mix.
8. Add fire roasted diced tomatoes ,one small can of Rotel original tomatoes with chilis, and slowly add tomato paste over the next hours, along with chicken broth to create the consistency you like.
9. Add some Red Pepper flakes to your liking. Add a bay leaf or two.
10. Add corn.
11. Add beans.
12. Simmer, stirring occasionally for several hours.
13. Serve with the usual stuff you like... sour cream, cheese, chopped scallions!
14. If you like Cilantro add it. A squeeze of lime juice is always nice when serving.

Notes

Kathy's Notes:  Add 1/2 can beer to make this a Boilermaker Chili.  This is delicious and spicy good!

By Nina Johnson via KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

#4 Duke University (Durham, NC)  “Blue Devils”

Ham and Cheese Sliders With Blueberry Preserves

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Blueberry Preserves

Serving Size: 12

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Ingredients

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls or party dinner rolls
• 12 ounces thinly sliced Black Forest deli-sliced ham
• 6 ounces thinnly sliced white cheddar cheese
• 1 package Boursin cheese with garlic and fine herbs
• 2/3 cup blueberry preserves (or peach, apricot)
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• freshly chopped parsley or dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove minced garlic

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Slice party rolls in half, horizontally and place in a 13x9 inch baking dish
3. Layer roll bottoms with ham and white cheddar cheese.
4. Add a small dollop of blueberry preserves.
5. Spread cut side of rolls with Boursin cheese (Go lightly with this as it can be salty)
6. Cover with top half of rolls.
7. Whisk together the melted butter, parsley, mustard and minced garlic.
8. Drizzle over tops of sliders. Cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees 15 minutes. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes more until cheese is melted and tops are light brown.
9. Serve immediately or wrap in foil and....see notes below.

Notes

To keep warm at a tailgate I use the Pyrex microwaveable Hot Pack in a Pyrex Portable container.

By KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

Let the games begin.  Send me your favorite team recipes…kathy@kathymillertime.com.

As we head to San Antonio for the Final Four, I’ll be posting more recipes on KathyMillerTime.com

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.

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