Texas-Style Tailgating with a Twist
Let’s play a quick game. Ready?
When I say “tailgating”, what do you think of?
NFL Football? College Football? Did you think NASCAR?
Well, as you may or may not know, NASCAR is the second most popular sport in America, next to the NFL. And NASCAR fans tailgate too!!
So what should you cook up at your NASCAR tailgate? To help answer this question, I’m giving you a peak at some of the goodies available at Texas Motor Speedway, as cooked up by Executive Chef Joel Pena and his culinary team. At this year’s NRA 500, they featured some signature Texas favorites as well as some seriously whimsical dishes that are sure to inspire for the rest of NASCAR season!
#1
We all know NASCAR is an event that draws enormous crowds and excites the senses. For those experiencing it for the first time, it overwhelms you, kind of like that first time you went to the carnival as a kid. And what did you do when you went to the carnival as a kid? Got Cotton Candy!!!
Hawg Heaven Bacon Cotton Candy:
This unique snack is a fan favorite! Chopped bacon is mixed with sugar and whipped into a fluffy cloud of cotton candy, topped with candied bacon bits.
#2
Why limit yourself to beer when you can drink bacon? (I know, not healthy, but sometimes, just sometimes, you have to treat yourself. Bacon is one heck of a treat)!
Bacon Cotton Candy Martini: Sweet and refreshing, this cocktail features cotton candy infused vodka, garnished with a candied bacon skewer.
#3
Warning: this next recipe is heart-stoppingly good. Like heart attack but yummy. So enjoy with your eyes and let’s keep talking about how we maybe make this healthier.
Let’s call this recipe a celebration of the pit crew. NASCAR pit crews practice endlessly to perfect tire changes and super quick fixes in an effort to shave fractions seconds off their time. In honor of that I give you…
Smokin’ Hubcaps: This rich, glazed doughnut is topped with smoked Texas-style BBQ brisket, crunchy onion strings, cheddar cheese, creamy cole slaw and drizzled with Chef’s signature BBQ sauce.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for the recipe to try Smokin’ Hubcaps at home.
#4
Winning at NASCAR is the result of the combination of an efficient crew, a skilled driver, a kickass car, and calculated moves. And winning at NASCAR makes you a legend. In Texas, there is another famous legend — the Jackalope. And to honor this mythical animal, I give you what I consider to be the Texas version of the turdunken — the jackalope sausage.
Jackalope Sausage: The legend of the Texas Jackalope lives on! This sausage, offered exclusively at Texas Motor Speedway, features a delectable blend of pork, rabbit and antelope. It’s sure to make Jackalope believers out of every fan!
So as you prepare for your next NASCAR tailgate, I welcome you to be inspired by some of these dishes. Happy tailgating!!
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Smokin’ Hub Caps Recipe prepared by Chef Joel Pena
Ingredients:
8–10lb Whole Beef Brisket
12 Glazed Doughnuts
6 oz Barbecue sauce
6 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
6 oz Creamy Cole Slaw
6 oz Crisp Fried Onion Strings
To Smoke the Brisket:
Chef’s Note: If smoking capabilities are not available, purchased a prepared smoked brisket and skip to the next steps:
Rinse the brisket with water and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours.
Season the brisket with 1 cup of barbecue spice and rub vigorously to thoroughly coat the entire brisket
Prepare the smoker with soaked wood or wood chips
Smoke at 145 degrees for 16–18 hours
Let rest for 45 minutes
Chop the brisket into medium size 1–2” pieces
To Assemble the Smokin’ Hub Caps
Combine 36 oz of chopped brisket with BBQ Sauce and heat in a skillet
Place 3 oz brisket/bbq sauce mixture on top of each glazed doughnut
Add 1 oz cheddar cheese
Add 1 oz cole slaw
Add 1 oz fried onions
(Makes 12 Hub Caps)
Enjoy!
