Big game coming up Saturday, November 4, 12:00 noon at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas! Traveling Auburn fans will have a fun time tailgating in Aggieland. I have great memories of tailgating with the Aggies.
Two interesting cheese ball recipes, one for Texas A & M (with jalapeno peppers) and one for Auburn (a delicious sweet bent) are included in this post.
James and I, along with lots of Gator fans, traveled to Texas for A&M’s first SEC game (the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012).
We wanted to taste Texas barbecue. We learned quickly that Texans prefer beef to pork in their barbecue, beef brisket. I wonder if being the Longhorn State has anything to do with it.
We stopped at the Southside Market in Elgin, Texas to taste their Texas Style beef brisket and their famous Elgin beef smoked sausage. James ate brisket, I had the sausage. People were lined up ordering the sausage in bulk, 5 pound units.
On to College Station and our first view on the Texas A&M campus was of Kyle Field, ready for the upcoming Florida/Texas A&M game. (The stadium has since been renovated and is very large and updated).
After circling the campus to get our bearings, James parked and we walked to the center of campus looking for the Academic Building, A&M’s signature building.
I was thrilled to hear my first “Howdy” from an Aggie student. The Aggies are known as the friendliest campus, welcoming all visitors with “Howdy”.
Our next priority was to stake out our tailgating spot for the next day. We heard that Spence Park right next to the stadium was an ideal place to tailgate, mainly because of its grass and trees.
People were already setting up their tailgates and tents. We asked some nice young Aggie’s if we, as Florida fans could set up next to them. They said, “Sure and don’t worry about leaving things overnight.” We headed for Walmart. James bought the cheapest tailgating tent he could find, I bought a few chairs and a large cooler. We went back to Spence Park and began setting up next to our new Aggie friends who told us they were serving Gator tail in the morning. We left our chairs and the tent at “half mast” so it wouldn’t blow over during the night.
Fast forward…a nice dinner out and then a trip to the stadium for MIDNIGHT YELL! Unique to the Aggies.
What an experience. Every midnight before a home game, students, the band, and the yell leaders fill the student side of the stadium.
The student section side of Kyle Field is full. The yell leaders lead the yells (or cheers). These are no ordinary cheers. They are Army cheers with lots of hand motions. The fans sing the fight song and tell stories about the opposing team.
And as a finale… The lights go out. Tradition has it you kiss your date when the lights go out. If you don’t have a date you light a lighter. Hopefully you will find a date. There were lots of lighters lit…woo a tongue twister. So fun. The Twelfth Man was ready for game day.
Game Day!
I learned how to “Gig ’em Aggies”.
As promised Tanner and friends brought Gator tail to taste. It was actually very good.
One of my favorite tailgates, Back Porch Tailgate!
Welcome To Aggieland
Home Of The 12th Man
Today through the month of November order a Texas A&M 11 x 14 poster print and receive 25% off. Click here to order.
Same offer for Auburn fans…25% off an Auburn 11 x 14 poster print through the month of November. Click here to order.
All SEC schools 11 x 14 Premium Poster Prints 25% off through November.
And now for the 2 recipes…
BACON JALAPENO CHEESE BALL/ TEXAS A&M STYLE
Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball
Serving Size:
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1-2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and diced, halved
- 2 dashes of Texas Pete hot sauce
- 6 pieces cooked bacon, crumbled and halved
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, half of the jalapenos and half the bacon crumbles.
- Add salt and pepper if needed.
- Mix the toasted pecans, remaining jalapenos and bacon.
- Roll cheese mixture into a ball.
- Roll ball in the jalapeno pecan mixture.
- Chill 1 hour or more. Serve with crackers.
Notes
The colors, with the green showing through make this a pretty appetizer.By Jill Barden via KathyMillerTime
Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com
CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE BALL /AUBURN STYLE
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
Serving Size: 20
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- graham crackers
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy.
- Gradually add sugars; beat just until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
- Place on plastic wrap, shape into a ball.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Just before serving, roll cheese ball in pecans.
- Serve with graham crackers.
Notes
This is a surprise to most guests. It looks like the traditional cheese ball, but when people bite into it--WOW so sweet and so good! This makes a very large ball. I like to divide in half, making 2 smaller balls.Pam Hope via KathyMillerTime
Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com
Happy Saturday and enjoy the many games!
Come celebrate with me. I’ll save you a seat at the table.