ALABAMA VS MICHIGAN: DON'T PITCH A FIT

Just pitch your tent out back if you're not able to jet over to Dallas Cowboy Stadium for the game. Grace your spread with these tasty vittles straight from Southern Living's The Official SEC Tailgating Cookbook. Now hop to it and pick up your copy wherever books are sold!

THE GAME PLAN
Catch the last of summer-fresh produce for this menu loaded with make-ahead options...and don't feel obligated to prepare everything, just pick and choose what sounds good to you.

Alabama Yella Hammer
Welcome guests as soon as they arrive to your door or tent with a signature cocktail.

Fried Green Tomatoes
These first string starters are fab topped with pimiento cheese plus add depth to burgers.

Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burgers
Pick up good quality pimiento cheese for a shortcut or try with the Southern-Style Pimiento Cheese. Be sure and order several slabs of Allan Benton's BACON-- it'll take these burgers off the chart.

Watermelon, Mache, and Pecan Salad
Photo & recipe courtesy Southern Living

Watermelon, Mache, and Pecan Salad
Prepare the Pepper Jelly Vinagrette several days ahead.

3/4 cup chopped pecans

5 cups seeded and cubed watermelon

1 (6-oz.) package mâche, thoroughly washed

Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette

1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake at 350° for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cool.

Combine watermelon and mâche in a large bowl; add vinaigrette, tossing gently to coat. Transfer watermelon mixture to a serving platter, and sprinkle evenly with pecans and cheese.

Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette: Whisk together 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar, 1/4 cup pepper jelly, 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, 1 Tbsp. grated onion, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper. Whisk in 1/4 cup veg oil in a slow steady stream until combined.

Mexican-Style Grilled Corn

So, you have that friend that's asked, "Hey-- What can I bring?" Here you go...easy, delicious, and foolproof.

Rebecca's Black Bottom Ice Box Pie

This ultra-decadent pie is the perfect dessert to serve when tailgating at home. It'll still be hotter than Georgia asphalt outside so keep it in the icebox until ready to serve.

My prediction for the outcome of the first football game of the season for the Crimson Tide? To quote Charlie Daniel's: "The South's gonna do it again..."

CHOW.

Click to see savings