WELCOME TO MY HANGOUT
The Dog Days of Summer
Hot dog!...July is here! Grills are cooking full bore, winter is just a distant memory and we still have plenty of summer left. Who doesn't love this time of year?
We're in the midst of fireworks, summer festivals, baseball and hot dogs. Did I mention hot dogs? I need to mention hot dogs because July is also national hot dog month. Can it get any better than this? I think not.
Join me as I celebrate the king of wieners and rejoice that the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council decided to make it a month, because I don't believe a day or even a week would have satisfied my appetite for the wonderful dog. I may even invite his cousin, the bratwurst.
WHAT'S NEWS AND EXCITING?
Hail to the Almighty Hot Dog!
There's a lot to know about the hot dog.
I've compiled statistics, interesting facts and other useless information regarding the wonderful hot dog. To learn more, head on over to the Hot Dogapedia.
It sure makes for interesting conversation at your next backyard cook out.
Let's Eat!
Hot dogs aren't as simple as just throwing them on a bun. Each region of the country and each country of the world has their own unique style of "dressing a dog". Of course I know the Chicago dog, but what about the others? Well, I investigated and included a few of them.
I also included the secrets to making a good beer brat and check out my soon to be famous BurgerDog recipe. I think you'll relish all of the recipes.
Remember Our Troops
As you enjoy your hot dogs this summer, remember all our men and women in uniform who make that possible.
What's Happening Next Month?
After all these hot dogs and brats, we may need to turn to some lighter style dining for a while. Maybe we should grill up some vegetables. Actually, I've had several recent conversations regarding grilled fruit. With all the fresh produce that's beginning to roll in, fruit sounds like a great idea.
Fruit it is! Join me for the next edition and we'll get fruity. I have a few unique and refreshing recipes that I have yet to publish. See you then!
Featured Content
BBQ Sauce Recipes...great on wieners!
Hook Up With Me
Did You Know...
As new owners of the Chicago Cubs, the Ricketts family added bison hot dogs to the menu at Wrigley Field. I found that odd with all else that's involved in running a ball club. Then I found out that they own a bison ranch in Wyoming.
My Related Published Articles
Hot Dog Etiquette
There are strict rules that govern the "dressing" of a hot dog. There are also strict rules for eating a dog. Treat your dogs with reverence! ...Read More
The Chef's Guide to Beer
I'm sure you've all heard about beer brats, but beer can add so much more to your culinary skills. This article will get you started ...Read More
DO I SMELL SMOKE?
I'm Chillin' when I'm Grillin'
One of the good things about grilling hot dogs, besides the great taste that they offer is their ease of preparation. Open the package and throw them on the grill. It doesn't get a whole lot easier than that. In spite of their ease, I've seen many burnt up hot dogs in my time.
Is it the simplicity of them that gives people false security that it is safe to walk away from them, only to return to a black carbon roll? Given the fact that all hot dogs are already fully cooked when you buy them, you're only heating them up. It's not like you're cooking a pork butt.
I'm sure you've seen the hot dog cooker at your local convenient store...the ones with the metal rollers that continually rotate the hot dog. That's the method you want to use when cooking a hot dog on the grill. Just don't leave it there for ten hours like my convenient store does. It's all about a constant rotation.
Over a medium fire, keep that dog turning. I don't mean constant like the commercial cooker does, I mean consistent. Every minute or two. Five to six minutes should be sufficient to fully heat a hot dog. A blister here and there or grill marks are acceptable, but if there is black sections on your dog, you failed. I know there are those that like some black, and there are some that like a good quality steak well done...that still doesn't make it right!
BurgerDog
A dog for the indecisive
Do you ever cook out and have a hard time deciding if you want a hamburger or a hot dog? If so, I've come to the rescue with the BurgerDog.
Is a combination of hot dog and hamburger possible? It was one of life's questions that has always troubled me so I went on a quest to answer it. Yes, it was possible. Of course I created another version to include bacon. Cut up, they also make a great appetizer. You can experience it ...here.
Beer Brats
The big boys hot dog
Having experienced bratwurst for most of my life, I was under the assumption that the rest of the nation had as well. It wasn't until I lived in various parts of the country that I realized the brat is for the most part, ignored outside of the Midwest. That's a shame! You just can't beat a beer brat.
I need to put an end to that. Beer boiled brats fresh off the grill on a grilled bun with onion and mustard must be experienced at least once in everyone's life. Experience it ...here!
Chicago Hot Dog
A class of its own.
Ahh...the Chicago hot dog! I don't care how much you may love your local hot dog, you have to admit that the Chicago dog is pretty darn good too! Chicagoans who move from the area will list this hot dog as one of the many things they miss. And for good reason!
For those who miss their beloved Chicago hot dog and for the rest of you who have yet to experience the great Chicago style hot dog, I've compiled the secret methods for you ...here.
Dutch Chili Hot Dog
By Hanneke Eerden
I know the Dutch are known for many things, but I didn't think hot dogs were one of them, yet the Dutchess set me straight with this hot dog.
As part of a 4 ingredient challenge, she created the Dutch Chili Dog. Read "4 ingredients". That means easy...yet tasty. The ingredients she had to use were hot dogs, blueberries, baked beans and pickles. Do you think she could make a tasty hot dog with those ingredients? You have to check out the blueberry ketchup! You can experience this great hot dog at her site, ...The Dutchess Cooks.
Burrito Dog
A taste of the southwest
Nope, hot dogs aren't just for buns anymore. Here's just another example of what can be done with a hot dog.
This Tex-Mex hot dog version consists of Texas style chili, fresh diced onion, cheese, crushed corn chips and of course some slivers of hot peppers. Did I mention cheese? Oh yeah, lots of cheese! For a real gooey and tasty Burrito Dog, I sometimes use Cheese Whiz in place of the cheddar cheese. The best part of this dog is we wrap the wiener in bacon! Now do I have your attention? Experience the Burrito Dog ...here.
Hot Giggity Dog
By Wilfred Reinke
Another one of my barbecue brothers also was involved with the 4 ingredient challenge. Yes, he pulled it off with this great creation.
Although he states that, "he's only a backyard BBQ’er with very limited skills", I find that hard to believe after looking at this recipe.
So what do you think he could do with hot dogs, blueberries, baked beans and pickles? I just love the way he...well, go check it out for yourself. Get giggity with this hot dog at his site. Experience Fred's hot dog creation at Oshawa Ogre's Views, News & BBQ's.
SOME OTHER INTERESTING FINDS
Happy Birthday Wishes
75 Years old this year!
Born in 1936, the classic icon of Oscar Mayer keeps rocking...still with its orange and yellow paint job.
Credit for the creation of the Wienermobile goes to Carl Mayer, Oscar's nephew. Carl, of course was also the first known driver.
The first vehicle was 13 feet in length. Today it measures 27 feet and has 5 other sausage related vehicles in the fleet.
Let's drop a package of Oscar Mayer Wieners on the grill and raise a toasted bun in celebration!
10 hot dogs yet 8 buns?
One man's quest to fix it.
Regional Styles of Hot Dogs
Well, at least some of them.
I know the world is a vast place, but I didn't realize how many variations of hot dogs there are. That's just in the United States. Globally, it would take an encyclopedia set to document them all.
Follow me as we take a cruise across the country and experience all the various and creative ways that hot dogs are being served up. Of course, we can't stop everywhere, we'll just hit the hot spots.
Let's go experience some different styles of dogs ...here.
RECENT PRODUCT REVIEWS
Seeking Out The Best Hot Dog
If you haven't noticed lately, it seems like there are a zillion kinds of hot dogs in the grocery store these days. Someone is eating a lot of hot dogs! Why, there's even some funny flavored ones.
There is no way I could taste them all, much less review them.
I applied a common sense approach and tested the more run of the mill hot dogs. The ones the average Joe would choose. Of those, I narrowed the best down to five brands. See what I thought...here.
Sticky Finger's Mustard BBQ Sauce
I know I preach plain yellow mustard only on hot dogs and brats, but when no one is looking, I'll oftentimes sneak a little honey mustard barbecue sauce on my links. It adds a nice little zing. Plus, the kids love it. That way you can have your mustard and still forget about the ketchup.
I've had most of Sticky Finger's sauces and rarely eat anywhere else when I'm in South Carolina. I've never tried the mustard version. I wonder how it will perform on a hot dog or brat. See what I thought ... here.
Turkey Hot Dogs
Now you know I love my hot dogs. It’s almost a religious experience with me. You just can’t beat a good dog, but a turkey hot dog? That’s heresy! Yet, as I try to age gracefully I find myself reading nutritional labels more than ever before. Let me tell you, the labels on hot dogs aren’t a comforting read. Let's experience this turkey dog thing and see if it can compete with my favorite hot dog.
Read along as I determine if an all turkey wiener can replace our traditional dogs...here!
