Fan Zone

Heading to the Bengals game this weekend and looking for some great tailgating tips?

Sure, you can still partake in the staples - chips, burgers and dogs - but why not augment your tailgating experience with a few unique, tasty dishes from The Midnight Gourmet?

Nick Tolbert, a.k.a. The Midnight Gourmet, is back this season to provide his weekly recipes for Bengals fans. Check back prior to each Bengals game throughout the season for the latest dish.

THIS WEEK'S TASTY RECIPE (DECEMBER 13, 2009)

ROSEMARY CRUSTED LAMB KEBABS Ingredients 3 garlic cloves, crushed 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 tbsp fresh rosemary ½ tsp paprika ¼ tsp cayenne ¼ ground all spice ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground cumin 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves ½ tsp of salt 1¾ lbs. boneless leg of lamb trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes 24 cherry tomatoes Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl, then add lamb and tomatoes, stirring to coat. Marinate lamb, cover and chill stirring occasionally, 2 hours. Thread lamb evenly onto 10 skewers and tomatoes onto remaining 4 skewers. Prepare grill medium-hot, grill kebabs on lightly oiled grill rack, turning once, until tomatoes are wilted but not falling apart and skins begin to split, about 4 minutes total for tomatoes and about 8 minutes total for medium rare lamb. Serves 4 to 6.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT"In life, all things have a beginning and an end."

» 11/15/09: Grill "Jungle" Chicken with Honey and Mustard Glaze
» 10/25/09: Chad's Catch of the Day
» 9/20/09: Cincinnati Wild Wings
» 9/3/09: Chad's BBQ Shrimp Brochette
» 8/27/09: Charcoal Grill Turkey Burgers

ABOUT THE MIDNIGHT GOURMET

In recent years, Nick has been dedicated to teaching others the art of classical cooking. He has been a featured writer for several magazines and newspapers. In 1998, he launched "Denova" - a company that created a popular local cable television program called The Midnight Gourmet.

The show was nominated by Access Awards and featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Business Courier, the Cincinnati Post, Herald Newspapers, as well as City Beat, and Everybody's News magazines.

In 2001, The Midnight Gourmet was picked up by BET (Black Entertainment Television) on Jazz to be broadcast nationally and internationally. In 2001, Denova also debuted a popular radio show, "Recipes for Romance" that has the same innovations and high standards of romantic cooking as the "Midnight Gourmet."

For more information on The Midnight Gourmet, visit his Web site at themidnightgourmet.com