The Clever Cleaver Brothers: Tailgatin'

Hosted by “Clever Cleaver Brothers” Lee N. Gerovitz and Steve Cassarino, this cooking program is jam-packed with quick recipes (less than three minutes each) for fancier fare than what is usually found at football game tailgate parties. Accessible separately or by category, each recipe is presented by the duo in costume--in football shirts, dressed as referees, etc.--who mix instructions and jock banter, closing with their signature line: “badda bing, badda boom, best wishes and great dishes.” The innovative recipes include appetizers (a roux-based “In Your Face Beer and Cheese Soup,” and “In the Pocket Stuffed Cheese” comprised of camembert and crab), salads (“Inside Out Fruit & Veggie Salad,” with green peppers, onions, pineapples and coconut), beef (tequila-splashed “Fumblin' Football Fajitas”), poultry (“2-Minute Warning Hot Wings” with blue cheese dipping sauce, and “Goin' Deep Fried Turkey”), pork and lamb (glazed “Gridiron Brat Wrap”), and seafood (“Play Action Pass Scallops”). The guys--who take on the persona of dense athletes but are actually accomplished chefs who met at Rhode Island's Johnson & Wales University School of Culinary Arts--provide great tips and advice; unfortunately, however, all the recipes reference the use of the Coleman Road Trip Grill, which--aside from being blatant advertising--could potentially limit the audience, as these babies can cost $150-$200! DVD extras include text recipes, six dessert segments from the duo's Kitchen Cut-Ups syndicated series (including “Pina Colada Cake” and “Aloha Kahlua Mousse”), a profile of the hosts, and grilling health and safety tips. If you can ignore the Coleman plug, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)