What foods say 'tennis' to you?

16 years ago

I am hosting my book club this month and I am having a heck of a time coming up with a menu. We usually serve food related somehow to the book. This month we read Andre Agassi's autobiography. I am totally stumped!

I thought of English food because of Wimbeldon, but the story doesn't really take place there. Actually, it really doesn't take place ANYWHERE for too long. His life has been a blur of locales.

I guess I could do something from every country compromising the Grand Slam - Australia, England, France and the U.S. I kind of like that idea!

So... any ideas? What food say "tennis" to you? Also, Andre is from Las Vegas. Any ideas for that one?

Nicole

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Comments (18)

rob333 (zone 7b)
16 years ago
Strawberries and cream to honor the Wimbeldon part of it
melon balls???

How about do a food from all the countries on the Championship Tour? US Open, French Open, Australian Open, Wimbeldon, Davis Cup? Are there more? I'm drawing a blank. I love the idea of linking the food with the book, how fun!
arley_gw
16 years ago
The only food association I know of with tennis is eggs--a zero score in tennis is 'love', which is a corruption of the French 'l'oef' (we English speakers might say, 'You scored a goose egg')

Some years back, a woman of my acquaintance was in a casual relationship with a man who gave her a tennis bracelet; I mentioned to her that I hoped that was not symbolic, since tennis is the only game in which love means nothing.

Aren't strawberries and cream served as snacks at Wimbledon?
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eileenlaunonen
16 years ago
For some reason as soon as I seen this I thought of Cobb Salad and Lemon Ice in carved out lemon cups...maybe from my days at the country club...LOL
caliloo
16 years ago
"I guess I could do something from every country compromising the Grand Slam - Australia, England, France and the U.S. I kind of like that idea!"

I love that idea! Are you looking for recipe suggestions from those countries? For some reason I think Clotted Cream on scones with strawberry preserves should be served to the spectators at a tennis match. Not sure WHY I think that, but I do LOL!

Alexa
User
16 years ago
I learn something new every day. Very interesting, Arley.

Something egg-related would be a perfect addition to the menu.
lindac
16 years ago
I'd say it depends on when in the day the meal is to be served....but by all means do include strawberries and cream.
What says tennis to me? a big tall gin and tonic!!
Linda C
jonsgirl
16 years ago
"Tennis fans, by and large, are known to be a high-maintenance bunch. That means a crowd shelling out big bucks to see world class action at the U.S. Open expects a worthy culinary scene.

And they'll get it, too. Hungry spectators will find everything from a shrimp and arugula pizzette to a hot pastrami sandwich to a chilled seafood "plateau" at the five restaurants and 60 concession stands..."
jessyf
16 years ago
No brainer - mullet.
sprout26
16 years ago
How about those waffle-looking cookies stuffed with ice cream or lemon cream? they sorta look like tennis raquets...
User
16 years ago
How about this recipe which is apparently a favourite of
Andre Agassi.

Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf's Herb Roast Turkey With Red Wine Cranberry Relish
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
Jessy! Too funny!
cookebook
16 years ago
LOL Jessy - from the days when he HAD hair.
jessyf
16 years ago
(Thanks Eileen, LOL!)
nicoletouk
Original Author
16 years ago
Very funny Jessy! And here is the best part... that was a toupee!

He tells in his book that he was so upset about losing his hair that his brother convinced him to wear a piece. It was kind of funny - and kind of sad - when he writes about being in a major tournament and worrying that his hair will fall off. Can picture him with the mullet, wearing a headband? That headband was helping to keep things in place.

Brooke Shields convinced him to deal with the baldness by just having his head. I think it was great advice.

Wow! You guys have some great ideas! I have a working menu...

Australia - Shrimp (not on the barbie, Ina Garten's roasted shrimp cocktail)
England - Cucumber sandwiches
England - Strawberries and clotted cream
France - Brie (baked if I'm not feeling too lazy)(I know, how lazy do you have to be that baked brie takes effort - lol!)
U.S. - Crudites and Ranch dip

Las Vegas -Champagne cocktails

For dessert I'll serve chocolate cake. I read that layer cakes are a quintessential American invention. But really, i just want some chocolate cake.

I loved the background on the love/egg connection. The problem is I hate eggs. I know! Meringues!

Oh, I'm excited now for my tennis menu! Thank you everyone for your input.

Nicole
colleenoz
16 years ago
L'oeuf = love (zero score) is similar to cricket's "duck"- "out for a duck" means out without having scored (scored a duck's egg, or zero).
Daisyduckworth
16 years ago
Pumpkin - the only thing it's good for is tossing it around!!

Seriously, though, strawberries and cream. Washed down with champagne.

See what they serve at Wimbledon.

Here is a link that might be useful: tennis food?
caliloo
16 years ago
Nicole - your menu sounds great! I'm sure your book club will love it

Alexa
Daisyduckworth
16 years ago
No such thing as 'shrimp' in Australia. They're 'prawns'. Paul Hogan's 'shrimp on a barbie' was translated so Americans would know what he was talking about!