Tailgate party recipes for the big game from chef Jeff Mauro (2024)

“The Kitchen” co-host and chef dishes up sandwiches for "The View" co-hosts.

Since everyone will be putting their diets on the sidelines while they watch the big game, get the recipes that the “The Kitchen” co-host and chef Jeff Mauro dished up for “The View” co-hosts’ tailgate party! Find more in his cookbook, “Come On Over”.
Jeff’s Famous Chicken Salad Croissant
Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless 6-8 ounce skinless chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 6 cups cold water
  • 1 cup mayo
  • 2 scallions, sliced thin up to the pale green part
  • 2 celery ribs, diced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup toasted walnuts
  • ¼ cup dried cherries
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 fresh croissants, sliced and lightly toasted, cut side up in the broiler
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Roma tomatoes
  • Hot giardiniera
  • Balsamic glaze

Directions:

  • In a large Dutch oven or pot, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in 6 cups of cold water. Submerge the chicken and heat over medium heat until the water hits an internal temp of 170° F. Take off the heat, cover and let the chicken sit in warm water for about 15 minutes or until the interior temp hits 165° F. Remove and let dry on paper towels.
  • Meanwhile, Mix scallions, celery, walnuts and cranberries with sugar, salt, pepper and Dijon. Let this mixture sit for at least 10 minutes, to extract all that flavor before adding mayo.
  • Add in mayo and mix until incorporated. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
  • Pull apart chicken with your hands or forks until shredded but still chunky. Fold in chicken, walnuts and dried cherries into the mayo mixture. Let it sit in the fridge for at least one hour before serving, overnight preferred.
  • Sandwich Build: Place lettuce on the bottom slice of croissant, then a scoop of chicken salad, then top with tomato, a spoonful of giardiniera and a little drizzle of balsamic glaze. Close the top of the bread, cut it in half and eat!

Deconstructed Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich with Pistachio Pesto
Ingredients:

  • 1 large eggplant, peeled and sliced into ½ inch rounds
  • Kosher salt
  • All-purpose flour for dredging
  • 6 large eggs, beaten
  • 4 cups panko bread crumbs
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes, drained and seeds removed
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • Oil for frying
  • 8 oz. of burrata cheese
  • 4 brioche rolls

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400° F.
  • Sprinkle kosher salt on each side of the eggplant and place on a triple layer of paper towels on a sheet tray. Place another triple layer of paper towel and repeat if necessary. Let the salt do the work for 30-45 minutes. Firmly press on the eggplant to remove as much liquid as possible, then wipe off any excess salt. Then pepper each side of the eggplant.
  • In a bowl, toss tomatoes with brown sugar, olive oil, balsamic and some salt. On a parchment-lined sheet tray, evenly place whole tomatoes. Place in the oven until slightly caramelized and dried out a bit, about 20 minutes. Set aside
  • Set up a standard breading station with flour, egg and panko breadcrumbs. Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, shake off excess, dip in egg, let excess drip and then coat in panko. Set aside on a wire rack and repeat.
  • Heat ½-inch of oil in 2 large straight-sided saute pans over medium heat the oil. Working in small batches, fry a few of the eggplant slices, turning once, until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes a side. Using tongs, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant. Keep eggplant warm in the oven on a wired sheet pan at 175°.
  • Sandwich Build: Butter and griddle both sides of the bread until golden and crispy. Lay burrata on the bottom bun, then hot eggplant, 4 to 5 roasted tomatoes and then a schmear of pesto on top. Close the bun, cut it in half and serve it with applause!

Pistachio Pesto

  • ¼ cup shelled pistachios, very lightly toasted
  • ½ cup fresh packed basil
  • 1 garlic clove, lightly poached in water (to cut bite)
  • 1 pepperoncini, minced
  • ½-⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

In a food processor, pulse all ingredients while slowly drizzling in olive oil until smooth — about 30 seconds — and season to taste.

5-Minute Chicago Cheesesteak
Ingredients:

  • 2 - 1 pound shaved ribeye
  • 1 tablespoon giardiniera oil
  • Black powder rub
  • BBQ Chip Dust
  • 6 turano philly rolls
  • 1 tub Taylor St. Cheese Sauce
  • Mauro Provisions craft giardiniera

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Set a medium saucepan to low heat. Add Taylor St. Cheese Sauce and gently heat while stirring frequently until warmed through and silky smooth.
  • Brush the inside and outside of bread rolls with oil from giardiniera, then sprinkle with BBQ Chip Dust. Place in oven for 3-5 minutes until lightly crusted.
  • Open 1 package of shaved ribeye. (We are going to make only one pound at a time so we don’t overcrowd the pan!)
  • Heat a large (at least 12-inch) cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium/high heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of giardiniera oil and then an even, thin layer of the shaved ribeye. Season with a couple of dashes of Black Powder Rub. Don’t move the meat for about 2-3 minutes — you want to caramelize the bottom layer until golden brown while the top portion of the shaved remains slightly pink. Give the meat a little stir and start chopping it up with a metal spatula to create tiny little beefy morsels. The more chopping, the smaller the morsels!
  • Here comes the fun part! Immediately after cooking your shaved ribeye to the desired temp, ladle the warm cheese sauce directly on the meat that’s in the pan. Let it slowly melt into the meat, moving it around so each morsel of ribeye gets coated in gooey cheese, for about 2 minutes. (Use half of the cheese sauce and reserve the other half for the second portion of beef).
  • Once the beef and cheese are properly married, place in the bun and top with a couple spoonfuls of craft Giardiniera and more warm Taylor St. Cheese Sauce. Repeat with the remaining 1-pound pack of shaved ribeye.

Slow Cooker Crispy Carnita Tortas
Ingredients:

  • 4 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2 cubes, with fat cap scored
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
  • kosher salt
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 cloves of garlic, smashed
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered
  • juice and zest from 1 large orange, about ¼ cup
  • 4 telera or bolillo rolls, buttered and griddled
  • Avocado crema
  • Pickled fresno chiles

Directions:

  • Set the slow cooker to high. Place pork chunks in crock and season all over with salt and chipotle powder. Place any chunks with fat cap upright. Nestle in onion, garlic and cinnamon sticks. Pour orange juice and zest over the pork. Close lid and cook on high for 4 hours or until super tender. Set cooker to warm and remove top. Let the liquid settle so the fat is on the surface. Reserve about ¼ cup of the fat.
  • Shred the meat, discarding any funky fatty bits. Season with salt and pepper if necessary
  • Heat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat and add some pork fat to the pan. Add the shredded pork and press down to crisp up, without disturbing for about 5-6 minutes, or until the bottom side is golden.
  • Take off the heat and quickly in one swift motion turn it out on a large platter.
  • Sandwich build: Place a good amount of the carnitas on the bottom bun of the roll, spread the crema on the top bun and layer with the pickled fresno chiles.

Avocado crema:

  • ½ cup Mexican crema
  • 2 ripe avocados, chopped
  • 2-3 limes, zested and juiced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, some reserved for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place sour cream, avocado, zest, juice of 2 limes and cilantro in a food processor and run till smooth. If too thick, thin it out with a bit more lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and reserve covered with plastic wrap pressed on top of the avocado to keep from browning.

Chocolate Cake Shake
Ingredients:

  • 4 cups vanilla ice cream
  • ½ to 1 cup of whole milk
  • One 8-ounce piece of leftover chocolate cake
  • 2 shots espresso

Directions:

  • Add the ice cream, milk and espresso into a blender and puree. Add in the cake and blend. Serve the shake with a spoon and a straw in a pint glass.
Tailgate party recipes for the big game from chef Jeff Mauro (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular tailgate food? ›

Classic tailgating recipes like deviled eggs and pimiento cheese team up with new players like Bacon-Wrapped Party Poppers and Buffalo Chicken Dip to give your tailgating spread the crowd appeal needed to satisfy a hungry group from one Saturday to the next.

What should I take for a cold tailgate? ›

Now, let's dig in!
  • Mini Sandwiches. Cold tailgate food ideas typically revolve around lunch and dinner entree food. ...
  • Coleslaw. As one of the most popular side dishes to food in football bars, coleslaw is best when served at a cool temperature. ...
  • Potato Salad. ...
  • Macaroni Salad. ...
  • Fresh Fruit. ...
  • Mixed Nuts. ...
  • Cookies. ...
  • Brownie Bites.
Dec 13, 2023

Is Jeff Mauro a trained chef? ›

After a few years hustling in Hollywood, he upped the ante and enrolled in culinary school to refine his cooking skills. Jeff graduated Valedictorian, packed up his Honda and returned to Chicago where he was a culinary instructor, a successful private corporate chef, and local comedic performer.

How to tailgate without a grill? ›

Tailgate Food Ideas Without Grill
  1. 2′ or 3′ Party Subs.
  2. Brioche Slider Trays.
  3. Cheese Platters.
  4. Chicken Nugget Trays.
  5. Chicken Wing Platters.
  6. Fruit and Cheese Nibbler Platter.
  7. Gourmet Tray.
  8. Hoagie Carousel Platter.

What is the tailgate food menu? ›

Average burgers and dogs are great for summer, but for football season, you're gonna want to really bring the flavor. Try our sloppy Joes, our garlic bread hot dogs, our pull-apart cheeseburger sliders, or our BLT dogs to see how you can take your grilled foods to the next level.

What do you do at a tailgate party? ›

The pre-game party typically includes music, food, (alcoholic) beverages, and games to kick off what's sure to be an unforgettable day. Tailgating is also known as pre-gaming, a warm-up for the main event. It's a beloved tradition in North America that has even become a national holiday celebrated by 80% of the US.

What not to forget for a tailgate? ›

Don't forget fuel, grilling utensils, plates, napkins, trash bags, and more. Seasoned fans know tailgating season is susceptible to inclement weather. Pack a pop up tent or canopy and blankets to bundle up in the cold. A folding table helps when grilling or preparing food.

How can I make my tailgate more fun? ›

Spice up your tailgate party by setting up games to entertain guests of all ages. This can range from classic tailgate games like ladder toss or bocce ball to trivia or a friendly wager on the game's outcome. Make sure to have a variety of options so everyone has something they can enjoy.

What tailgate food does not need to be refrigerated? ›

Keep hot foods likes baked beans or chicken wings hot by transporting them in a slow cooker (if you have access to an outlet). Also be sure to round out your menu with a few non-perishable snacks that don't require refrigeration like pretzels, chips, snack mixes, and nuts.

Are GZ and Jeff Mauro friends? ›

Jeff and Geoffrey: The Ultimate Bromance. There's no denying it: Jeff and GZ have a one-of-a-kind friendship.

Was Geoffrey Zakarian married to Alex Guarnaschelli? ›

alex guarnaschelli on X: "“@nordsnert: GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN AND @guarnaschelli USED TO BE MARRIED?? This changes how I see everything. #mindblown NO WE WERE NEVER" / X.

Who is Jeff Mauro's mother? ›

What food is good for tailgating? ›

The 24 Best Tailgating Recipes Everyone Will Love
  • Bacon and Blue Cheese Guacamole. Cindy Rahe. ...
  • Buffalo Chicken Chili. Aaron Hutcherson. ...
  • Pickle Slaw. Nick Evans. ...
  • Grilled Chicken Nachos. Elise Bauer. ...
  • Buffalo Hummus. Simply Recipes / Micah Siva. ...
  • Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese. ...
  • Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce. ...
  • Texas Sheet Cake.
Oct 8, 2023

What food is good for tailgating in cold weather? ›

We couldn't pick just one—we're sharing TWO of our favorite cold weather tailgate main dishes. The first is a hearty chili—you can't go wrong with this classic dish that warms your hands and the soul! The second is chicken tender sliders—these bad boys will fuel the cold weather tailgate food fun!

What is a tailgate dinner? ›

Tailgating, which primarily takes place in the United States and Canada, often involves consuming alcoholic beverages while barbecuing and grilling food. Tailgate parties occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games, festivals, and concerts.

What is the most common form of tailgating? ›

The most common kind of tailgating attack involves sneaking into a prohibited place behind a person who is authorized to enter. This is often accomplished by closely following them as they enter a building.

What to bring to concert tailgate? ›

Tailgating Entertainment Gear
Portable SpeakerBoard GamesCards
HorseshoesCornholeJenga
Beer PongDeckPlastic Cups
FootballPing Pong BallProjector
1 more row
Sep 27, 2023

What is considered a finger food? ›

More and more people opt not for sitting round a table but aperitif parties, and buffet dinners or receptions, on their feet. Finger food means small portions that you don't even need a knife and fork for. Just your fingers.

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