Chili Dogs
Want to learn how to cook? Experiment.
That’s what I do.
At first you have some bad batches of stuff but you learn quickly.
Remember my chili recipe? If not, click here:
Today is the 4th of July and nothin’ goes
better with Independence Day than some real American food.
Chili Dogs
If you make Chief’s recipe and leave out the beans, you
have a fantastic chili dog sauce.
With Barbi’s recipe, just leave out the beans and can of
water.
You can add the beans too, if you wish, but leave out
the water and strain one can of the beans to make it into a thick chili dog
sauce.
If you really feel “experimental,” throw in some
jalepenos, or for milder, some chopped bell pepper.
Maybe, leave the onion out in case your having a
party. There’s lot’s of folks that for
some reason that I can’t figure, don’t like onion. I personally, don’t know how you can cook
without it.
Here’s a coney island twist, leave out the tomato soup
and add a bottle of chili sauce instead.
Chili Powder
All chili powder is not created equal. The chili I made today was a little hot. Spicy, chili powder hot. It was because I used hot New Mexico chili powder. I had bought this stuff in an effort to save some moola. You know, the spices that are about half the price and come in a bag instead of a bottle. I'm not saying these spices are bad, I'm just saying experiment and figure out which ones you like and which ones you don't.
In the Sept/Oct 2000 issue, "Cook's Illustrated" published a taste test article on chili powder. I'm including it here.
Now, I would like to discuss a few helpful hints I have learned when it comes to chili dogs.
People ask me "Uncle Ron, should I grill or boil? Should I toast the bun?" My answer, whatever/ whichever you like. I prefer boiled without toasting.
After you make a pot of chili or hot dog chili sauce, I suggest you dig out those old ice cube trays and freeze the leftovers.This is something I learned from a Marine dependent wife named Bobbi. Bobbi and her mother made a great chili dog sauce but refused to give up the recipe. I suppose they were saving it for after Bobbi's husband, Dennis retired from the Marine Corps. He could start a new career in front of federal buildings or county court houses. Anyway, the ice cube sized chili is perfectly sized for a single hot dog serving.
Remember going tot he ball game or fair and buying a "red hot" or "coney" and how good it tasted. Why did it taste better than you make at home. It didn't. You were just in a situation where that hot dog really hit the spot. Here's a suggestion. When you serve your dog, wrap it in either wax paper or foil. It compresses the dog so when you unwrap it, little of your toppings (including the sauce) fall off the dog. Another idea is to roll it up in a used bread or bun wrapper, then unroll it before placing it in the plate. Believe me, this really does work.
Finally, let's talk ketchup. I think Heinz is the best commercial brand. Once again experiment. Some people will put ketchup on anything. I saw Marines in the chow hall put it on eggs. And yes, some people even put ketchup on their hot dog. Go figure!
All chili powder is not created equal. The chili I made today was a little hot. Spicy, chili powder hot. It was because I used hot New Mexico chili powder. I had bought this stuff in an effort to save some moola. You know, the spices that are about half the price and come in a bag instead of a bottle. I'm not saying these spices are bad, I'm just saying experiment and figure out which ones you like and which ones you don't.
In the Sept/Oct 2000 issue, "Cook's Illustrated" published a taste test article on chili powder. I'm including it here.
Now, I would like to discuss a few helpful hints I have learned when it comes to chili dogs.
People ask me "Uncle Ron, should I grill or boil? Should I toast the bun?" My answer, whatever/ whichever you like. I prefer boiled without toasting.
After you make a pot of chili or hot dog chili sauce, I suggest you dig out those old ice cube trays and freeze the leftovers.This is something I learned from a Marine dependent wife named Bobbi. Bobbi and her mother made a great chili dog sauce but refused to give up the recipe. I suppose they were saving it for after Bobbi's husband, Dennis retired from the Marine Corps. He could start a new career in front of federal buildings or county court houses. Anyway, the ice cube sized chili is perfectly sized for a single hot dog serving.
Remember going tot he ball game or fair and buying a "red hot" or "coney" and how good it tasted. Why did it taste better than you make at home. It didn't. You were just in a situation where that hot dog really hit the spot. Here's a suggestion. When you serve your dog, wrap it in either wax paper or foil. It compresses the dog so when you unwrap it, little of your toppings (including the sauce) fall off the dog. Another idea is to roll it up in a used bread or bun wrapper, then unroll it before placing it in the plate. Believe me, this really does work.
Finally, let's talk ketchup. I think Heinz is the best commercial brand. Once again experiment. Some people will put ketchup on anything. I saw Marines in the chow hall put it on eggs. And yes, some people even put ketchup on their hot dog. Go figure!
I hope this was
helpful.
Enjoy!
