Ask An OC Expert: Best Easy Tailgate Food

Tailgating is a great opportunity for a group friends and family to gather and enjoy each other and some tasty food. When looking for the right recipe, Chef Tony Vela of OC Sports Grill urges tailgaters, "Just make sure it isn't healthy for you." Here are five of his recipes that will make for perfect tailgate party fare.

Tony Vela
OC Sports Grill
450 N. State College Blvd.
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 935-0300
www.ocsportsgrill.com

Chef Tony Vela of Anaheim was brought in to OC Sports Grill by general manager and owner Rob Beatty two years ago with the challenge to transform the sports bar menu into something that customers "couldn't resist." When asked about his specialty in cooking, Vela said, "At this point in my career, what I am known for is my spin on your run-of-the-mill sports bar cuisine with influences from other entrees around the globe. I like the challenge of taking a usual mundane item and creating a one-of-a-kind food experience." When visiting the OC Sports Grill in Orange, one cannot deny the quality of the ribs as the restaurant takes pride in having some of the most tender and delicious ribs in the area. With more than 10 hours of cooking and basting in house-made BBQ sauce, one cannot deny that the ribs at OC Sports Grill are not to miss. Here he dishes on five of his favorite tailgate-ready recipes.

Jalapeño Cream Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Shish Kabobs

• Top sirloin steak (season with salt and pepper)
• Cream Cheese
• Bacon
• Jalapeño
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Red Bell Pepper
• Yellow Bell Pepper
• Green Bell Pepper
• Onion

Directions:

1. Cube steak into one-inch cubes.
2. Cut bacon into 1/2 strips.
3. Cut peppers and onions into one-inch pieces.
4. Take a cube of steak and put 1/2 oz of cream cheese on it, then place a jalapeño on the cream cheese and wrap it all in 1/2-inch strip of bacon.
5. Soak kabob skewers in pitcher of water to avoid burning.
6. Put any combination of meat and vegetables on each kabob.
7. Place on BBQ on low and cook until the steak reaches 160 degrees. Tip: Thicker bacon works better as it will not burn before the steak is finished.

Beer-Marinated Bratwurst

• Bratwurst
• Case of Amber Lager
• Green Bell Peppers
• Red Bell Peppers
• Onions
• Deli Rolls
• Brown Mustard

Directions:

1. Remove bratwurst from package. Take a fork and puncture it twice on opposite ends of the brat. This lets the beer get in there and avoids the ill-favored face explosion.
2. Slice onions and peppers.
3. Place onions, peppers and brats into a container. Fill the container with lager until all is covered and leave it to marinate overnight.
4. Remove brats from the mix and place peppers, onion and beer mix on the stove or grill. Bring it to a simmer to keep it warm.
5. Grill the brats on medium heat until they are golden brown.
6. Place the brat on the deli roll. Place the pepper and onion mix on top.
7. Lightly squeeze on some brown mustard.

Teriyaki Carne Asada

• Carne Asada
• Glazed Sesame Teriyaki Sauce
• Onions

Directions:

1. Slice the onions.
2. Slice carne asada into small fillets.
3. Place meat and onions in a ziplock bag or container and pour teriyaki sauce on the meat and onions.
4. Leave the food to marinate overnight.
5. Cook on a grill the next day on medium until the meat reaches 160 degrees.
6. Enjoy the end product on tortillas or skewers.

Homemade Donuts

• Pillsbury Grands Buttermilk Biscuits
• Cinnamon Sugar
• Powdered Sugar
• Chocolate Shell Dessert Topping
• Sprinkles
• Soda Bottle Cap
• Vegetable Oil

Directions:

1. Pop open the biscuit container and place all biscuits on wax paper.
2. Take a cleaned soda bottle cap and press it firmly into the middle of the biscuit to create a hole. Keep the center pieces.
3. Heat oil to 350 degrees and place the biscuits in the oil and turn them frequently until they are lightly golden on both sides. The biscuits should brown after they are removed from the oil.
4. Let the donuts cool for 30 seconds.
5. Toss the donuts in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!

Related: The Best Donuts In Orange County

Grilled Stuffed Peppers

• Red Bell Peppers
• Cream Cheese
• Sunflower Seeds
• Green Onions
• Shredded Cheese
• Bacon Bits

Directions:

1. Cut the bell peppers in half and clean them out until you have a nice "cup" to fill with ingredients.
2. Mix cream cheese, green onions, bacon bits and sunflower seeds together.
3. Scoop the mixture and place it into the bell pepper and cover in shredded cheese.
4. Place the peppers on the grill on low until the pepper skin is cooked on the outside.

Related: Ask An OC Expert: Healthy Recipes Kids Can Make