Cocktail Dogs

Here’s an example of how top-notch ingredients can transform standard ballgame junk fare into a dish you’d be proud to serve Emeril Lagasse.  Seek out grass-fed hot dogs (Trader Joe’s carries products from Applegate Farms), whip up your own homemade cocktail sauce, and enjoy a truly American meal.  The proof really is in the dog!

Real American Cocktail Dogs

Start with good hot dogs, like Applegate’s beef dogs, Niman Ranch’s pork sausages, or Shelton’s chicken or turkey franks.  (All of these products are from grass-fed animals.)

Spicy Chili Sauce
This recipe makes enough sauce for about 6 hot dogs. Double amounts as needed.

Extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, sliced into thin rounds
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp. ground mustard (or mustard seeds)
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. maple syrup, preferably Grade B
1 T. red wine vinegar
1 T. soy sauce
Pinch of sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
Crushed red pepper (optional)

In a smallish saucepan, sautée onion in olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add garlic and continue to cook for another 2 or 3 minutes or until garlic is fragrant. (Do not allow garlic to burn!) Add remaining ingredients, stir to combine, and turn heat down to low. Let simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to marry.

While sauce is simmering, slice hot dogs/sausages/franks into rounds and sautée them in a pat of butter over medium-high heat until slices are nicely browned. Stir in simmered chili sauce and serve immediately.

Now, that‘s ballpark food!