After eating light and healthy for several days in a row (it's funny what an upcoming physical appointment with a doctor will do for your eating and drinking habits), it was time for something not so light and healthy. So, when I want to splurge, I go for beef and cheese. Beef and cheese does it for me everytime (and since the cholesterol results came back fine, bring it on!). But instead of my usual burger, I opted for another American classic, the chili cheese dog.
I love a good chili cheese dog, from the tiny chili cheese pups from Krystals, to the footlong from Sonic, to the really good ones at the those fancy hot dog stands. So, Tyler's Chili Cheese Dogs from Eat This Book: Cooking with Global Fresh Flavors
sounded like a dream come true.
These were good, just what I had in mind. Now, the topping felt, and tasted, a little more "Manwichy" than chili to me, but that was okay. Nothing better than a beefy hot dog, topped with more beef, and then topped with cheese. And speaking of healthy, which we were several paragraphs back, these were made with grass-fed beef hot dogs, grass-fed beef hamburger, whole wheat buns, and organic whole milk cheddar from happy grass-fed cows, so I think it was healthy afterall!
Chili Cheese Dogs
Serves 4
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 all beef hot dogs, about ½ pound
4 hot dog rolls
½ cup shredded Cheddar
To make the chili: Heat a skillet over medium flame and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil gets hazy, add the onion and cook, stirring, until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, and cook until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the ketchup, chili powder, and mustard; simmer for 15 minutes until thick; season with salt and pepper.
For the hot dogs: While the chili is cooking: place a large grill pan on 2 burners over medium-high heat or preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the hot dogs from sticking. Parboil the dogs first before grilling: bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the hot dogs for about 5 minutes. Remove from the water and grill the hot dogs just long enough to give them grill marks. Brush the insides of the rolls with the remaining oil and place them face down on the grill until toasty. To serve, top each hot dog with the chili and some Cheddar cheese.
This will be my entry for this week's Tyler Florence Fridays!
Kevin says
Those chili cheese dogs look great!
Jenny says
Hey that looks familiar. 🙂
I don't think I've ever seen "good for you" hot dogs. Impressive.
SweetPeaSurry says
That's the healthiest chili cheese hot dog I do believe I've evah seen!
I do love a good dog!
bright blessings!
cantbelieveweate says
I made these while camping and didn't think to take pictures...really easy! Great twists with the grass fed, organics! Looks great!
Kim says
I love chili cheese dogs, spaghetti, fries, potatoes....I could go on. I love the hot dogs you chose. Looks great. I have an award for you over on my site.
Debinhawaii says
I think it is very healthy and very grass fed! 😉 If you are going to splurge a chili dog is the way to go--thye look yummy!
food with style says
you just do everything so well!
Donna-FFW says
My hubby would eat these in 2 bites, they look so darned good.
daphne says
My only experience of a chilli hotdog is from A&W (the fast food chain) ..The looks of these beat it for sure!!!
My Carolina Kitchen says
I love chili cheese dogs but I learned to love them later in life. Go figure. However they always fix the "comfort cravings" I have from time to time. You can be only so good and healthy before you have give in to cravings. Yours look fabulous on the crusty bun.
Sam
Natashya says
I loved these too. Yes, it is not so much chili as it is a hotdog-chili-topping, but I thought it was great!
Grace says
i LURVE a good chili dog, but i really only ever eat them at a baseball game or on the 4th of july. clearly, that needs to change.
Terri and Bob says
Perfect summer treat!
Lisa says
I have fond memories of Chili Cheese Dogs. They were a staple during college. I know the men in my family would love for me to get all nostalgic and make these this weekend!
Joanne says
Kudos for you for going the grass-fed route. That is so awesome! Can you believe I've never had a chili cheese dog? Actually I don't like hot dogs so it's not so hard to believe. But I think I see a chili cheese sausage in my future...
noble pig says
Oh how yummy. My mouth is seriously salivating!
Carrie says
I've really been waiting to have chili cheese dogs on a day when I'm not so concerned about being healthy, too! I've been craving them for ages. I don't have a homemade chili sauce recipe though, so thanks for sharing this one! And your photos are awesome!
shabby girl says
Nothing like a really good, messy chili cheese dog!!!
We had the Lemon Chicken Pasta for dinner last night, and it was fantastic! Hubby added some spicy chicken sausage that added some real zing! He can't leave any recipe alone! Thanks for passing that one on. It's a keeper!
Sippity Sup says
That will really be a treat. A treat we all deserve every now and again. Or in Tyler Florence's case Every Friday. GREG
Eve says
Thankyou thankyou. Making these this weekend for sure! Beautiful!