Tailgate Tuesday: Baked Fried Pickles

Baked Fried Pickles by Full Flavor Food

Photo Credit: Full Flavor Food

Ingredients: 

• 3 large kosher dill wholes
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup panko crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 425 and slice your dills into 1/4 inch slices. Take three small mixing bowls and put flour in one, the milk and eggs (beaten) in the second, and combine the bread crumbs, panko, and cheese in the third. 

Coat each pickle first with the flour, then with the egg/milk mixture, and then with the breadcrumb/cheese mixture. Place coated pickles on a greased cookie sheet. Bake pickles at 425 degrees for 7-10 minutes or until desired crispiness is achieved. 

Add a side of ranch dip and ENJOY!

For more recipes like the one featured above visit Full Flavor Food or follow them on Twitter (@FullFlavorFood). 

If you have a favorite game day recipe you'd like to share e-mail it and a picture of the dish to gridirongirlxo@gmail.com and it could be featured on a future Tailgate Tuesday post. 

By the Numbers: Antonio Gates

Photo Credit: bolthype.com

Antonio Gates is a Tight End for the San Diego Chargers. In his 10 year career with the Chargers, he has 642 receptions for 8,321 yards and 83 touchdowns.

Let's take a look at 13 (8+5) things we may not know about Chargers' number 85.

1. He was born June 18, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan. 

2. He was signed to the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

3. He originally enrolled at Michigan State University to play football and basketball.
Former MSU Football Coach Nick Saban only wanted him to play football and Gates transferred to Eastern Michigan University to pursue basketball.

4. He played two years of Basketball at Kent State University; his Junior and Senior years.
Gates was the fourth Golden Flash to have his jersey (44) retired on February 27, 2010.

5. He is a eight-time Pro Bowler
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

6. On October 3, 2010 he became the seventh tight end with 500 career receptions. 

7. He was selected as the NFL's All-Pro Tight End in 2005 and 2006. 

8. His paternal grandfather, Henry Hank, was a professional boxer in the 1950s and 1960s. 

9. When he signed with the Chargers he hadn't played football since his senior season at Central High School in Detroit, Michigan. 

10. He is know as "Mr. Clutch" because of his consistency in pulling in the catch on third down.

11. On September 23, 2012, he became the fifth tight end and the 59th player in NFL history to have 600 career receptions. 

Photo Credit: Proplayerinsiders.com

12. He loves to give back to the community by hosting "Shop with a Charger", being an honorary chairman for "Shoot to Cure HD", and his annual free football camp in his hometown. 

13. He's Married!
Antonio and his wife, Sasha, were married on July 9, 2011 in San Diego.

To learn more about Antonio Gates visit his website or follow him on Twitter (@AntonioGates85).

Tailgate Tuesday: Crock-Pot Hot Chocolate

Crock-Pot Thick & Creamy Hot Chocolate by Crock Pot Ladies
Serves eight

Photo Credit: Crock Pot Ladies

We all know that by mid-season the weather can get quite chilly in the northern states. Here's a yummy beverage that can warm you up before the game!

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups of heavy whipping cream
• 1 (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 cups milk (use whole milk for extra thick hot chocolate)
• 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large Crock-Pot combine all ingredients and stir. Cover with the lid and cook on low for two hours, occasionally whisking to combine melted chocolate chips with milk. Ladle into mugs and serve with marshmallows or whipped cream. 

Side Note: 

For peppermint hot chocolate, you can stir in 5-10 crushed starlight peppermints or 2-3 crushed candy canes. If you'd like to spice it up for the adults, add peppermint schnapps or Kahlua. Remember to drink responsibly. 

To find more recipes like the one featured above visit Crock Pot Ladies or follow them on Twitter (@CrockPotLadies). 

If you have a favorite Game Day recipe you'd like to share e-mail it and a photo of the dish to gridirongirlxo@gmail.com and it could be featured on a future Tailgate Tuesday post. 

2013 NFL Draft: First Round

Photo Credit: USAtoday.com

1. Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Fisher (OT) : Central Michigan

2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Luke Joeckel (OT) : Texas A&M

3. Miami Dolphin from Raiders
Dion Jordan (DE) : Oregon

4. Philadelphia Eagles
Lane Johnson (OT) : Oklahoma

5. Detroit Lions
Ziggy Ansah (DE) : BYU

6. Cleveland Browns
Barkevious Mingo (DE) : LSU

7. Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Cooper (OG) : North Carolina

8. St. Louis Rams from Bills
Tavon Austin (WR) : West Virginia

9. New York Jets
Dee Milliner (CB) : Alabama

10. Tennessee Titans
Chance Warmack (OG) : Alabama

11. San Diago Chargers
D.J. Fluker (OT) : Alabama

12. Oakland Raiders from Dolphins
D.J. Hayden (CB) : Houston

13. New York Jets from Buccaneers
Sheldon Richardson (DT) : Missouri

14. Carolina Panthers
Star Lotulelei (DT) : Utah

15. New Orleans Saints
Kenny Vaccaro (SS) : Texas

16. Buffalo Bills from Rams
EJ Manuel (QB) : Florida State

17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jarvis Jones (OLB) : Georgia

18. San Francisco 49ers
Eric Reid (FS) : LSU

19. New York Giants
Justin Pugh (OT) : Syracuse

20. Chicago Bears
Kyle Long (OG) : Oregon

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Eifert (TE) : Notre Dame

22. Atlanta Falcons from Redskins through Rams
Desmond Trufant (CB) : Washington

23. Minnesota Vikings 
Sharrif Floyd (DT) : Florida

24. Indianapolis Colts
Bjoern Werner (DE) : Florida State

25. Minnesota Vikings from Seahawks 
Xavier Rhodes (CB) : Florida State

26. Green Bay Packers
Datone Jones (DE) : UCLA

27. Houston Texans
DeAndre Hopkins (WR) : Clemson

28. Denver Broncos
Sylvester Williams (DT) : North Carolina

29. Minnesota Vikings from Patriots 
Cordarrelle Patterson (WR) : Tennessee

30. St. Louis Rams from Falcons
Alec Ogletree (ILB) : Georgia

31. Dallas Cowboys from 49ers
Travis Frederick (C) : Wisconsin

32. Baltimore Ravens
Matt Elam (FS) : Florida

Neither Geno Smith nor Manti Te'o were chosen in the first round and remain available.