Smoking Musket Tailgate Menu: Texas Tech, featuring breakfast tailgate foods

I became a pro at early morning tailgates during the 2013 season, where it seemed every game we played kicked off at noon. This game between WVU and Texas Tech is another noon kickoff, but if you’re going to Lubbock, it’s an 11 a.m. start cause they’re weird and aren’t in the Eastern Time Zone. We play four Texas teams during the season, so varying the cuisine for each will be tough. Luckily, I have friends in most places who can guide me.

This week’s menu takes a tradition from TTU games and applies it to breakfast foods, plus a couple of favorites made into hand-held versions.

Steak and Egg Tacos

So, apparently, Texas Tech students toss tortillas into the air at kickoffs and when their team scores touchdowns. I have no idea why or how this tradition started, other than that this was to replace the to-go cup lids they used to toss. Sounds fun, let’s use it.

When you think of Texas, you think of steak. When you think of steak for breakfast, you obviously think steak and eggs. We’ll let’s combine that and put it on a tortilla for an easy-to-eat West Texas breakfast.

You can cook up the eggs and flank steak at the tailgate. Cube the steak before cooking, season it with a packet of taco seasoning. Only cook the steak and eggs, as the rest of the ingredients should be fresh and crisp.

I included a recipe, but really, you can use whatever toppings you want.

Recipe

Omelet and Potato Breakfast Bites

The point of these is two-fold. One, they’re easy to eat. Two, they’re easy to make the night before, then heat up at the tailgate. Personally, I’m a huge fan of southwestern omelets, but you can use whatever ingredients you want in these, just make sure you have tater tots, eggs and cheese.

Pro tip: Add about a teaspoon of pancake mix to this for a fluffier bite. Also, you could take out the meat and add more veggies if you’re more health-conscious.

Recipe

Jack Cheese and Smoky Chipotle Fondue

Break out the crock pot and melt lots of cheese with sour cream. To that, add green onion, sweet peppers, garlic, chipotle peppers and bacon. The best part about this is that it’s melted cheese with a lot of great flavors cooked in.

You can use tortilla chips for this or use more tortillas and it’s equally good. Just make sure you make enough to satisfy the masses.

Pro tip: Add more bacon to this than the recipe calls for. Cause breakfast. And bacon.

Recipe

Texas Mimosas

I’m not quite sure if this is a thing or not, but I just made it up. Mimosas are the go-to breakfast tailgate drink. I think mimosas are the best of all morning drinks (don’t talk to me about Bloody Marys because those are a-whole-nother category).

• Champagne
• Tequila
• Orange Juice
• Grapefruit Juice

Here’s what you do: Take a plastic champagne glass, fill it up with cheap, bubbly champagne. Then, let the bubbles fall and put in a splash of tequila and grapefruit juice, then, fill the glass with OJ, drink up.wouwou

Lubbock is a far place to travel for a normal Mountaineer fan, so luckily, all of these recipes are great for Gameday parties at home. However, if you are traveling to Lubbock, make sure you grab Rosa’s tortillas to fit in and make TTU fans proud as well.