The stage was set for an eventful Saturday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Visiting our state was an old friend, Nick Saban, who is not viewed in the greatest light in and around Tiger Town. He happened to bring along a few friends, and a football game was played, and he lost.
The peripheral to the story is the tailgate. LSU is like no other place in the country when it comes to celebrating their football team. The morning started around seven thirty with a wake up call, we were running late due to the previous nights viewing of Rebirth Brass Band at Chelsea's, for free. Off to the stadium we headed. Parking about fifteen minutes away, Cowboy Rivet saddled his ten speed with a backpack and inflatable party doll, and rode to the spot which had been secured the following evening.
Reaching our destination at the tailgate, we were met by friends who graciously lended a hand in getting all the necessary details of the party underway, ie, tents, tables, booze, food, table clothes, Christmas lights, disco ball, television, generator, etc. The food for the day was waiting when we arrived at the tailgate and alls we needed to do was cook a little food, enjoy the scenery, listen to music, and chant anything that came to mind towards the Bama fans.
The hosts had provided a spread rivaling only Antonine Careme, google it. Chicken biscuits, gumbo, several dips with chips, sandwiches, and enough booze for an LSU tailgate. My part in the food was small, but cooked a few things, and burnt one thing in my jubilation after the Tiger win. First on the menu was pork and peppers. Marinating the pork in soy, thyme, rosemary, and Tony's, it sat while the grill was getting ready.
First to meet the grill, were the peppers, earlier in the morning the peppers were plucked from the Rivet's garden along with some herbs to make the pork happy. Once the peppers had given way to a sweet smoky aroma, the pork was placed on the grill. After fifteen minutes or so, the pork was done, sliced and presented on French Bread. Hamburgers where next on the menu, careful not to denature the proteins, the burgers where cradled into patty's and cooked untouched to a medium temperature, they were blanketed with cheese and placed in a bun for the guests. The last thing I cooked did not make it to service. Jambalaya was on the fire for the end of the game, as the cheers and fans rolled out of the stadium, the rice was not yet done. So I cranked it, burned it, and so it goes...always be patient with the food.
No bars could rival the scene of a lone tailgate rocking until ten at night. It was a dance party under Christmas lights, disco ball, and a giant chicken. A chicken appeared around eight or so that night and brought the party to the next level with a keg stand and jog. Next time you happen to be at an LSU game, look out for the giant chicken, because you know a good time is on the way.
Thank you to all the friends, and friends of friends that hosted the party, it was epic.
