All-American Hot Dogs (with a twist)

It’s official. I’ve retired my stove top and oven recipes and traded in my pots and pans for my trusty grill, spatula and tongs. There’s much to be said for the sweet simplicity of getting outside after a day at work and firing up the grill. It’s one of my favorite ways to save energy. Yes, that’s right — grilling is energy-efficient!

There’s much to be said for the sweet simplicity of getting outside after a day at work by firing up the grill and having a hearty family meal. It’s comfort food at its finest.

’ve decided to start with an all-American classic: hot dogs. Whether you’re a purist or like to add your own “twist,” this menu satisfies the fussiest of palates, young and old. Having a picky youngster myself, I speak from experience. Here are some ways to take that tried-and-true hot dog and make it sizzle.

Try mixing things up with a topping bar.

Choose what inspires you:

Yellow, brown or spicy mustard
Pickle relish
Chopped onion
Tomato wedges
Dill pickle spears
Sport or other assorted hot peppers
Celery salt
Sauerkraut
Thousand Island dressing
Ketchup
Coleslaw
Chili
Bacon
Assorted cheeses

The “Twist”

And for the kiddos, what could be cooler than a spiral hot dog? All you need is a skewer, a knife and your hot dog. Before grilling, simply place the hotdog on the skewer, angle your knife and start slicing at the top. Carefully roll the hot dog away from you as you continue the spiral cut from end-to-end.