Hot Dogs

 Yes!!! Summertime is hot dog time! I have this weird fascination with how different parts of the country, and the world, top the venerable hot dog. Here are a few of my favorites. YUM!!!!

  Chicago
 The best!!!! There is absolutely nothing like a Chicago dawg. A bunch of stuff I love on a bun. Tomatoes, neon green relish that looks like it could glow in the dark, and a pickle spear; and that's just the beginning! Want to make your own Chicago dog? Go here, they will tell you how to make a dawg right. http://www.hotdogchicagostyle.com/makeyourown.php . Oh, and go Cubs!!

  New York
 Ok. Being an East Coaster with a dad from New Jersey, I grew up eating hot dogs with sauerkraut and mustard. Deeeee-lish. A hot dog without mustard is pretty close to a sin. There is also nothing like a Coney Island dog. Chili, onions AND mustard? Helloooo? It's fabulous! There's just one catch: the chili has to be just right. There are a ton of Coney Island hot dog sauce recipes out there; this one is pretty good http://www.grouprecipes.com/31717/coney-island-hot-dog-sauce.html

  Venezuelan
 When I first came across this one I freaked. I put potato chips on my sammys!!! All the time! And mayo?? Oh no, it is all too, too good. The cabbage makes it not sooooo bad for you ; ). My only concern....ketchup. Ketchup does NOT belong on a hot dog. Unless you're two, and even then it's questionable behavior. So if you want to make this for your kids and you don't want them to grow up to be Communists, leave the ketchup off.
 http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-duran/venezuelan-hot-dogs-recipe/index.html


   Sweden
  This is another one I freaked over. Mashed potatoes, shrimp salad, OH. MY. LORD. I have a fascination with Scandinavian food, and this sent me over the edge. Trust me, this is a tasty dog, ya. Just try it, you'll see. Now finding a proper Swedish hot dog recipe that I liked was kind of tough, but I did find this yummy raksallad, ( shrimp salad ) recipe. Interesting Scandinavian food site.
http://www.scandinaviafood.com/swedish-raksallad-recipe.php. I love the way the Scandies eat : )


 This is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out this Bon Appetit article on hot dogs around the world. Be sure to check out the Trailer Park. That could probably become another favorite : )
http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/bafoodist/2009/06/around-the-world-in-80-hot-dog.html
 Woot!!!