Time to Tailgate! Three Recipes for KU Homecoming 2019
Doesn’t autumn sometimes seem like the long inhale? The scent of fall is a mixture of fires burning in the fireplace, rain, and a delicious pot of homecoming chili beans bubbling on the stove.
If you’re like most people, the thought of this turns you slightly nostalgic.
That’s really what homecoming is all about, isn’t it: nostalgia?
Naturally, it’s a time when die-hard Jayhawks, current students, and alums alike pull together their ideas for the tailgating parties they plan on having before the big kickoff.
It All Started Way Back When
First, though, a little homecoming history.
Truth be told, the Jayhawks have a lot to celebrate each homecoming. Word has it the University of Kansas was one of the first schools to get involved with the whole homecoming tradition.
Actually, there are several stories floating around about which school actually has first dibs on this bit of fall awesomeness, including Northern Illinois University and Southwestern University, but we go by what Trivial Pursuit says when we pay homage to this great American pastime.
Here’s the story according to the Mizzou Alumni Association. KU’s rival, the University of Missouri, apparently started the homecoming tradition way back in the late 1800s as a way to face its rival, the Jayhawks, on the field.
Initially, this yearly event took place at a neutral, off-campus site in Kansas City; however, eventually, the NCAA rules forbade playing at a neutral location.
Mizzou played the home-field advantage for all it was worth. UM put out the call to its alum and then-current students to show up for a parade, a bonfire, a pep rally, you name it. Those early homecoming activities kick-started a tradition that now has thousands of participants from colleges and high schools all over the U.S.
The first homecoming took place in 1911. Here we are now, getting ready for KU Homecoming 2019.
It’s probably best, too. What would all the ardent foodies and football fans do each fall? Fortunately, we don’t have to imagine what the alternate universe minus tailgating food and football would be like.
Instead, like all die-hard football fans, we get to planning a tailgating party to end all tailgating parties.
Food for KU Homecoming 2019 Tailgating
We now come to the food. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite tailgating recipes. Homemade chili kept in an insulated container makes an excellent tailgating treat, especially once the temperatures start to turn cool as the sun goes down.
You can modify this recipe to tailor it to your home crew. You may have to double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe to make enough for your party.
Ingredients:
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey, chicken, or beef
• 1/2 diced onion
• 4 minced cloves garlic
• 1 minced jalapeno
• 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 3-4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted
• 2 14-ounce cans of beans, rinsed and drained (your choice of beans)
• 2 cups broth (your choice of flavor)
• Minced carrot chunks, optional
• Diced ham cubes, optional
Instructions:
1. Mix some salt in with your ground meat, and then put the meat aside to allow it to turn salty.
2. Put the meat in a Dutch oven and add in the spices. Brown the meat.
3. Add in the garlic, the onion, the pepper, and the carrots if you’re using them, and sauté them until they turn soft.
4. Add in the tomato paste. Allow it to sauté for a few minutes.
5. Follow that up with the addition of the beans, the tomato, the meat, and the broth.
6. Allow this to simmer. Cover the chili and leave it on the heat for 30 to 45 minutes.
7. You can let it bubble in the Dutch oven for up to two hours. This allows the subtle flavors to develop.
Add in extra broth if it gets too thick.
Here are some other recipes to try with your homecoming chili:
Parade Floats and Other Stuff
It goes without saying that plenty of people will visit Lawrence during homecoming week. It’s also likely you’ll have your share of friends and relatives coming into town.
It’s additionally likely that if you have any kind of school spirit, and we’re assuming you do, you’ll be helping the newest generation of Jayhawks get their KU homecoming parade floats ready.
Typical parade floats use flatbed trailers as their platform. However, since your home is going to be Homecoming Central for your relatives and friends, you may need to store your parade float supplies off-site for a time.
If you don’t have a neighbor who can host your parade float, consider storing it at our local facility. Many people have stored their vehicles and trailers with us over the years.
We offer parking spaces for rent, some of which are covered. If you do decide to store your parade float trailer with us, be sure to have its registration and license up to date. We also require insurance.
In Lawrence, Kansas, we offer a convenient place for you to store all your homecoming supplies whether it be the trailer for your parade float or the extra barbecue your neighbor gifted you last year. Our self storage units are affordable, easy to access, well lit, and climate controlled.
If you’re not sure which type of unit would be right for you, be sure to read our unit guide. If you have more questions about storing your belongings with us, contact us today to speak to one of our storage experts and to reserve a spot.