Energize Fans -- and Rivals -- With Delicious, Easy Football Food by Tree Top

SELAH, WA--(Marketwire - Aug 28, 2012) - With NFL pre-season underway and the kick-off of college football on the horizon, Tree Top has prepared a team of delicious and easy tailgating recipes that will win over fans and rivals alike.

Baked Beans
Smoky bacon and apple sauce enrich these baked beans for a hearty side dish that goes with everything from burgers to brats. Make them in advance so all you have to do is reheat on game day.

Ingredients
2 cups small white navy beans
3 1/2 cups water
6 to 8 slices thick sliced bacon
3 or 4 green onions, chopped including tops
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Tree Top Apple Sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 1/2 tablespoons vinegar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Soak beans overnight or use quick soak method on bean package.

After soaking, drain and rinse beans under cold water. Put in large pan and add 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, turn to low and boil gently for about 45 minutes.

Fry bacon until crisp. Drain and add bacon to beans. Then add onion, bay leaf, garlic, salt and pepper.

Continue to cook on simmer until beans are tender. This will take about 1 1/2 hours. More water may be added if necessary.

Drain beans, reserving liquid. Remove bay leaf. Combine apple sauce, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard. Add to the beans along with 1 cup of the reserved bean liquid. Bake covered for 3 hours at 325°F adding more liquid, if necessary.

Cut recipe in half to serve a smaller group.

Spiced Pork and Apple Burgers with Maple Dijon
Game-goers will happily sink their teeth into this tasty take on the traditional burger, complete with both sweet and savory flavors to please any palate.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
2 pounds ground pork
1/2 cup Tree Top Natural Apple Sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 hamburger buns (toasted, if desired)
Baby spinach leaves
Optional garnishes: cheddar cheese, grilled onions, pickles, tomatoes, etc.

Directions
Stir maple syrup and mustard together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Spray a large non-stick grill pan or griddle with cooking spray and place over medium to medium high heat.

Mix pork, apple sauce, salt, chili powder, dry mustard, pepper and cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl. Form mixture into 6 patties. Place patties in pan and cook for 4 - 5 minutes, turn and cook an additional 4 - 5 minutes, or until done.

To serve, spread bun bottoms with maple mustard mixture. Top each with a spinach leaf, a patty and bun tops.

Apple Juice-Braised Brats
If you're looking for burger alternative, kick things up a notch with these delicious apple juice-braised brats.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 yellow onion, sliced thin
1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 pound fresh bratwursts
64 ounces of Tree Top Apple Cider
Brat buns

Directions
In a sauté pan, melt butter over medium low heat and sweat the onions and peppers.

Heat grill pan or on an outdoor grill to medium-high heat.

Add apple cider and brats to the onions and peppers in the sauté pan. Loosely cover and let brats steam in the cider until they're nearly cooked through.

Place brats on the grill and heat until charred.

Place brats in brat buns and serve.

Oatmeal Cookies
Whether you make them for an afternoon snack or a weekend tailgating party, this reduced fat cookie recipe will bring autumn's scents and flavors to any occasion.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup Tree Top Natural Apple Sauce
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)

Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Beat butter and both sugars with mixer until creamy.

Add egg whites, apple sauce and vanilla. Beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together; add to wet ingredients and mix well

Add oats and any optional ingredients; mix well. Place evenly spaced on ungreased baking sheet, by the tablespoon. Bake 8-10 minutes until light golden brown.

Try adding 1 cup of raisins, walnuts, chocolate chips, or cranberries.

For more information about the Tree Top and for additional recipes, visit www.treetop.com.

About Tree Top
Since 1960, Tree Top has provided premium, quality juices, fruit based products and ingredients to consumers and most of the world's leading manufacturers. The grower-owned cooperative operates eight processing facilities in the heart of Washington's apple country, Oregon and California. With more than 1,100 growers, the co-op creates the widest array of fruit-based products and ingredients available on the market. Tree Top's passion and attention to quality and craftsmanship makes it the first choice for customers. For more information, visit www.treetop.com.