Getting ideas together for a stellar Greek meal for the USC football tailgate on Sept. 5, 2009, the opener, at the Coliseum - USC vs. the San Jose State Spartans -- Spartans vs. Trojans. Unforunately, the time is not set yet for the game so even though I doubt it would be an early game, still unsure about whether the meal would be lunch or dinner.

Over the summer, I am going to experiment with Gyro Meat with Tzatziki Sauce.. a rendition from Alton Brown (Good Eats) combined with another Greek version I found online. Basically the meat is lamb (or a combo of lamb and hamburger), mixed with onions, fresh herbs, and spices, that is pressed into a loaf pan and baked. The meat is sliced and served in a pita with the Tzatziki Sauce, chopped onions, tomatoes, and feta cheese. The Tzatziki Sauce is a yogurt, cucumber concoction, which I could just buy at Trader Joe's ... but may be compelled to make it myself.

I also am planning on Pastitio, which is a Greek version of lasagne, accented with cream (actually Bechamel sauce)! A Greek green salad (my sister Liza's version is superb) or a Greek pasta salad are also on the docket... Kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon, and olive oil are the stars of either dish.

Baklava is a definite for dessert!

A Greek cocktail called the Greek Doctor (from Food TV's Guy Fieri) would be smashing -- peach vodka, orange vodka, ouzo, orange juice, sweet and sour mix. Most of us at the tailgate don' t really drink now, so maybe not.

Any other ideas???