Perfect tailgate parties need pork

It is football season once again. You know what that means, right? Pork for your tailgates. There is no question that tailgate food should be fun, fulfilling and delicious. Pork has the potential to be the perfect protein for all of your football related meals. Your opponents will be drooling over your food, no matter who wins and who loses with the tailgating ideas below.

Apple Sweet and Sour Brats

12 bratwurst
1 32-oz jar sauerkraut, rinsed and well drained
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup apple juice

1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 large apple, cored and cubed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

Cooking Directions

In a large saucepan, simmer sauerkraut with applesauce and apple juice for 20 minutes.

In a large deep skillet, heat butter over medium heat; add onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until very soft, about 10 minutes. Add brown sugar, and cook for 5 more minutes. The onions should be caramelized. Add apple pieces and sauté for 5 more minutes until apples are just tender. Add to sauerkraut along with cinnamon, salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Prepare a medium-hot fire in grill. Grill bratwurst directly over fire, turning, until evenly browned, about 5-7 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.

Remove bratwurst from grill and serve with sauerkraut.

Fast-off-the-Grill Chorizo Quesadillas

3/4 pound pork chorizo
5 10-inch flour tortillas
1 16-oz can black bean refried beans
1/2 pound Colby cheese, shredded
1 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed
olive oil for brushing tortillas
1 1/2 cups tomatillo salsa

Cooking Directions

Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Use a spatula to crumble the chorizo as you place it in the pan. Sauté the chorizo until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chorizo from the skillet to a plate.

Arrange 5 tortillas on a work surface. Spread about 1/4 cup refried beans evenly over half of each tortilla, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Scatter about1/3 cup cooked chorizo over beans. Scatter a generous 1/3 cup of cheese over top. Divide and arrange cilantro over top of cheese. Fold opposite half of tortilla over the filling. (The quesadillas can be assembled up to 1 hour before serving. Cover loosely with plastic wrap so they don't dry out, and set aside at room temperature.)

Prepare a medium fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill on medium. Brush outsides of tortillas with a small amount of oil. Using a wide spatula, transfer quesadillas to the grill. Grill on one side for about one minute, slide and turn quesadillas 90 degrees, grilling until nice cross-hatch grill marks appear. Slide spatula underneath to flip quesadillas and grill the second side. Transfer the quesadillas to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the quesadillas into 5 wedges. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately accompanied with the tomatillo salsa.

Out and about with okPORK

This fall okPORK jumps into action with all kinds of events. Join us at the fair or another one of the activities and show off your love of pork. Want more information? Call us at (405) 232-3781 or email us at communications@okpork.org.

The Pork Chop Shop
Each year okPORK opens the Pork Chop Shop only three times. During the Oklahoma and Tulsa State Fairs and During the Oklahoma Youth Expo. While the Pork Chop Shop is open - the most delicious sandwiches are available. Have you tried them all? The pork chop and pulled pork sandwiches are both delectable, as is the pork burger. Don't miss your opportunity to have some perfectly prepared pork during the fairs!

Oklahoma State Fair: September 12-22

Tulsa State Fair: September 26-October 6

6 Degrees of Bacon

This is the second year for okPORK to be a sponsor of 6 Degrees of Bacon. On October 17, the fundraiser for Downtown OKC, Inc.will bring together restaurants from all across the Midtown District of Downtown Oklahoma CIty. Every restaurant brings bacon themed foods, artist share bacon themed art and local brews are shared in the name of bacon. For more information about the event or to buy tickets, press here.

Bacon and Bourbon Dinner

The third-annual Bacon and Bourbon dinner is scheduled for November 1. For the first time it will be held at the Gaillardia County Club in Oklahoma City. This five-course meal only costs $100 and will feature a special bacon and bourbon pairing with each new course and is sure to leave your taste buds begging for more. Contact okPORK for more information at www.okpork.org.

About Oklahoma Pork Council

The Oklahoma Pork Council, a producer organization consisting of Oklahoma pork producers, represents the interests of all pork producers. Partially funded by federally collected Pork Checkoff dollars, okPORK promotes pork and pork products, funds research, and educates consumers and producers about the pork industry. For more information about this or any other programs of the Oklahoma Pork Council visit www.okpork.org or call 1.405.232.3781.