FLORIDA GEORGIA GAME…WORLD’S LARGEST OUTDOOR COCKTAIL PARTY


I love a good college football rivalry and there is none better than the Florida/Georgia game…also billed as THE WORLD’S LARGEST OUTDOOR COCKTAIL PARTY.  The Florida-Georgia game is unique in that it is played every year at a neutral site, Jacksonville, Florida.  (I guess Georgia fans don’t always think this is neutral, but what a great place to visit.)  Equal number of tickets are allotted to each school.  The stadium is evenly divided; half Florida fans, half Georgia fans, making for one of the most exciting game day atmospheres in the country.

James and Carrie at Fla Ga game

One side of the stadium is orange and blue

Florida band and fans at Florida Georgia game photo by Kathy Miller

The other side red and black

Georgia band and fans Florida/Georgia game in Jacksonville, Fl photo by Kathy Miller

Here come the Gators

Florida storms the field Fl/Ga game photo by Kathy Miller

And now the Dawgs

Georgia responds at Florida/Goergia game photo by Kathy Miller

You see many tailgates with Florida and Georgia fans side by side.

 

 

 

 

Trish and Clara at Florida Georgia game

Georgia tailgate at Florida Georgia game Jacksonville Fl photo by Kathy Miller

We’ve enjoyed quite a few Florida Georgia games over the years!

Halloween Florida Georgia fun photo by Kathy Miller

Kathy and Kelly tailgating interview

Hannah and Aunt Kathy

Always a treat to see Loran Smith signing books at The Plantation Shop

 Loran Smith is a legend in University of Georgia lore and the tailgating world.  “Smith was Georgia’s first sideline announcer.  He originated the ‘Tailgate Show’ and also originated the coaches locker room show.  He was the executive producer of the ‘Vince Dooley Show’ for over 15 years.  He is a freelance columnist and author, having authored or co-authored over 15 books.”

Kathy and James visiting with Loran Smith at The Plantation Shop

Loran Smith and Kathy Miller The Plantation Shop book signing

A classic bounty of Florida Georgia recipes…

Paul and Rosalind Bowles, Georgia fans…Judy and Charlie Pillans, Florida fans.  Photo by Page Tehan for South Island Living.

 

The Bowles and Pilans pre Florida Georgia game

Every tailgate should have a good deviled egg.  Rosalind’s are delicious and have a twist.  She uses dill pickle relish instead of sweet pickle relish…a Georgia deviled egg.

Deviled Eggs Georgia Style photo by Paige Tehan

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Dash of black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan. Cover with 2-3 inches water.
  2. Bring to a boil. Cover.
  3. Remove from heat, and let stand 20 minutes.
  4. Drain immediately and fill the saucepan with cold water and ice.
  5. Peel under cold running water.
  6. Slice eggs in half lengthwise, and carefully remove yolks.
  7. Mash yolks with mayonnaise. Add relish, mustard, salt, and pepper; stir well.
  8. Spoon yolk mixture into egg whites. Garnish, if desired.

Notes

Roasaline uses dill pickle relish instead of sweet pickle relish.

By Rosalind Bowles via KathyMillerTime

KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

I love a good pasta salad at a tailgate and this is one of my favorite…so many good flavors combined!

 

Antipasto Salad photo by Kathy Miller

Ingredients

VINAIGRETTE

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

SALAD

  • 8 ounces tricolor rotini pasta
  • 2 cups seeded sliced cucumbers, half moon
  • 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup smoked mozzarella, diced
  • 1 cup Italian salami, diced
  • 1 cup sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini, rinsed and stemmed
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
  • 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water, according to package directions. Drain pasta, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

FOR THE VINAIGRETTE

  1. Puree capers, anchovy paste, and garlic in a food processor. Add vinegar and oregano; pulse to combine. Slowly drizzle in olive oil and blend until emulsified. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.

FOR THE SALAD

  1. Mix together cooked pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, onion, olives, pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and 2 tablespoons capers. Toss the salad with vinaigrette.
  2. Refrigerate salad overnight; just before serving adjust the seasonings.

Notes

This is fabulous for a picnic or a tailgate!

By KathyMillerTime
Adapted from Cuisine At Home

KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

 

And everyone wants the old tailgating standby…

HAMMIES…HAM AND SWISS CHEESE SLIDERS

Georgia Style

Sliders Ham & Cheese with Poppy Seed photo by Kathy Miller

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 24 small party buns (or 12 Hawaiian rolls)
  • 1 small sweet onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 pound sliced ham
  • 8 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced

Instructions

  1. Spread the butter on cut sides of bun, reserving 1 tablespoon butter.
  2. Saute the onion in the reserved butter until clear.
  3. Add the poppy seeds and dry mustard.  Mix well.  Remove from heat.
  4. Layer the ham, cheese and a dollop of the onion mixture on half of each roll.
  5. Replace roll tops. Wrap in foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Kathy's Comments:  These sliders are perfect for tailgating.  I transport in foil in a Pyrex Portable carrier kept warm with a hot pack.

By KathyMillerTime

KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

Son James, a Florida alum, came up with a good twist to the traditional Hammie (ham and swiss slider).  His take…a Cuban slider based on the Cuban sandwich made popular at The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City and St. Augustine in Florida.

Ingredients

  • 12-pack of dinner rolls or Hawaiian sweet rolls
  • 1/2 pound ham, sliced
  • 1/2 pound fresh pork tenderloin, roasted and sliced
  • 1/2 pound Genoa salami, sliced
  • 8 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced
  • 1 small jar sliced dill pickles (chips)
  • Yellow mustard

Instructions

  1. Slice the rolls in half lengthwise.
  2. Layer ham, pork, salami, swiss cheese on bottom half of rolls.
  3. Top with 1 or 2 sliced pickles.
  4. Spread mustard on top half of rolls and place on top.
  5. Wrap in foil.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
  7. Slice, then serve!

Notes

You could try the Tasty method...Place rolls in a pyrex dish instead of foil. Baste with butter and bake. Slice and then wrap in foil to transport to a tailgate. Take to tailgate in a carryall with hot packs to keep warm.

James Miller via KathyMillerTime

KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

FOR SOME OTHER HAMMIE IDEAS CLICK ON LINK FOR…

Roast Beef and Havarti Cheese Rolls…Auburn

Turkey and Smoked Cheddar Cheese Sliders…Tennesse

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Blueberry Preserves…Kentucky, Duke or any blue team

 If you have never been to the Florida-Georgia football game in Jacksonville, Florida you are missing one of the most unique tailgating experiences in the country.

Just another Florida-Georgia Game.

Or is it Georgia-Florida????

Watch for upcoming stories from my tailgating travels.  I welcome your comments, recipes and any inside information on your favorite tailgating spots.

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

7 Comments

  • Charlie Albright says:

    Kathy, you continue to exceed all expectations. I really enjoy your posts. Florida-Georgia, Michigan-Michigan State. Does not get any better. Go Gators.

  • Janet says:

    WHAT A TERRIFIC POST!
    Love the pictures of Trish Dooley, the Bowles and the Pillans.
    Such super memories of tailgating and attending the Florida/Georgia game.
    Nothing like it. Super recipes and they are the best.
    Go Gators. And Roll Tide

    • Kathy Miller says:

      Thank you Janet. Going down memory lane with some of the pictures! Your Bama team got my Vols last week🤣🧡🏈🍊

  • Joanne Astor says:

    The pictures and memories are so special for you and your family. I’m so glad you were able to experience such wonderful times at the Florida/ Georgia game as well as the Gator games in Gainesville. The recipes are some of my favorite!

  • Dave Miller says:

    Love those hammies- Go Gators

    • KathyMillerTime says:

      Thank you Joanne! And we have shared many recipes over the years. Loved our trip to Auburn and Ole Miss during our traveling tailgating years 🧡🏈🍊🎃

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