The Third Saturday in October celebrates the college football rivalry between the Tennessee Vols and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

We are lucky to have this game to look forward to as many SEC teams are in a bye week.  Both Florida and Georgia have this Saturday off as they prepare for their annual FLORIDA/GEORGIA game in Jacksonville, Florida… A neutral site with half the stadium wearing orange and blue and the other half wearing red and black.

Texas A&M coming off a win over the Gators will rest up before taking on Western Division rival Mississippi State.

This Saturday, I will be turning my attention to the Tennessee/Alabama game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Tailgating On The Quad is a special experience.

The Quad is a large 22 acre green space at the heart of the University of Alabama’s campus.  It is anchored by the President’s Mansion on the south.  Most of the campus  burned during the Civil War.  The President’s Mansion was spared due to the efforts of the president’s wife, making it one of the oldest buildings on campus.

Denny Chimes, the famous bell tower,  is on the Quad.  Captains of the football teams have placed their hand and foot prints in cement at the base of Denny Chimes.

The Gorgas Library anchors the north end of the Quad.  The band plays from the library steps before marching to the stadium.

On game days The Quad is home to hundreds of tents, fans, good food, drink and lots of fun.  (I love this barbecue guy.)

No cars are allowed on The Quad.  Tents, chairs, tables, grills, food and drink are dropped off or hand carried in.  I saw several people dragging wagons with barbecue and all the fixings.

Friend and Alabama fan Myra Jeffrys gave me this Big Al Guacamole recipe.  The red pepper gives it a unique twist.  I also like to add a little jalapeno for added kick.

Big Al’s Guacamole Dip

Serving Size: 6

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 avocados, peeled and pitted
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 cup small cherry tomatoes (cut in quarters)
• 1/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Coarsely mash avocados.
2. Stir in lemon juice.
3. Fold in remaining ingredients.
4. Seal in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the guacamole. Keep cool.
5. Serve with tortilla chips.

Notes

Kathy’s Comments...The fresh thyme and red bell pepper give this guacamole a fresh twist.

By Myra Jeffreys via KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

A few weeks ago I gave you Tennessee fan, Joy McCabe’s Parmesan Rosemary Wafers, perfect for tailgating.

Parmesan Rosemary Wafers

Serving Size: 24 wafers

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened to room temperature
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons water, if needed

Instructions

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment place butter and mix until creamy.
2. Add the parmesan, flour, salt, rosemary, and pepper and combine.
3. Add water, if needed, one tablespoon at a time until dough just comes together.
4. Dump the dough on a lightly floured board and roll into a 10-inch- long log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to harden.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
6. Cut the log crosswise into ¼ inch thick slices. Place the slices on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 22 minutes or until just golden. Makes about two dozen wafers.

Joy's Comments: These homemade cheesy wafers, made with fresh rosemary, Parmesan cheese, and a little cayenne pepper for just the right amount of heat, are quite the delicious treat. They can be prepared ahead and frozen, and since they thaw quickly, these Parmesan and Rosemary Wafers can be ready for any impromptu gathering. Perfect with a nice glass of iced tea or your favorite cocktail.

From the Kitchen of Joy McCabe
Via KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

If you don’t have time to make these from scratch, which happens to me all the time, try Mamie’s Famous Cheese Wafers which come in a roll in the freezer section.  I buy them at The Cashiers Farmers Market, my favorite farmers market!

And at most Fresh Market locations!

I love football season…which happens to coincide with leaf season…the best of both worlds. Check out next week’s post about leaf season in the mountains with a football tailgating twist, of course.

Watch for more tailgating recipes.

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

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