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Food & Drink

2012-04-20 11:06:05

New twist on an old favorite

A: When I think of summer, I think of two things — hot dogs and baseball (or beer league softball for that matter). The best thing about both is that you do not have to be an expert to enjoy either one of them. No matter if you are a grilling guru or just a dabbler, you can cook up some awesome dogs that impress. And YES, with the month of May bringing with it Memorial Day, grilling season has OFFICIALLY arrived. Here are some ideas that will inspire you to fire up that grill: Frito Dogs Why not combine party favorites for one delicious bite? Top your dogs with Fritos, nacho cheese, and jalapeño for a dog with a fun punch. Hog-Tied Few things could be as delicious as a hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in thick bacon and topped off with fried onion strings. So-Cal Dog If you want to accommodate those watching their waistline, try serving up some So-Cal turkey or chicken dogs on whole wheat buns and topped with avocado, sprouts, and cucumbers. Jerk Chicken Dog While you have the chicken dogs on the grill, try heating things up with a Jerk Chicken Dog. Throw on some mango chutney, jalapeños, and mayo for a vibrant flavor combination. Po’Boy Bring on the remoulade (look it up) and let the party begin! Add in some shredded lettuce, pickled okra and Creole mustard and you have a party for your taste buds that will delight your guests. Cuban Sandwich Split your grilled dogs down the middle and layer on a roll with dill pickles, mustard, and Swiss cheese (looks like a hot dog sandwich). Grill the bun for that final grill guru touch. Boston Terrier Take your favorite dog and smother with hot baked beans, sautéed onion, and a generous helping of crisp bacon chunks and you have a showstopper. Chico Dawgs Top your dog with pickle spears, cucumber spears, sliced tomatoes, diced onion, and mustard. For a truly authentic dog, use a poppy seed bun and top your creation with celery salt. Taco Dog Wrap your hot dog in a flour tortilla and top with all of your favorite taco condiments for a fun twist on two old favorites. New York State of Mind Dog Go classic NYC and top your dogs with spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut and you can’t go wrong. BBQ Picnic This version is a picnic in a bun! Brush your dog with BBQ sauce before you throw them on the grill, then serve on a toasted bun with coleslaw for a meal that hardly needs a plate. All this hot dog & grilling talk makes a guy hungry! Hold on while I dab my drooling mouth. Enjoy…