Chili Cheese Dog

Chili Cheese Dog

This is the perfect game day food! Forget the nachos, chili dogs are where it is at. What's great about them is you can make the chili ahead of time and just warm it up later. You can obviously use whatever hot dog you want, but I find the all beef juicy jumbos have the most snap to them. I just love the texture and the flavour!

ingredients

schnieders all beef juicy jumbo hot dogs
hot dog buns
cheddar cheese
red onion
ground beef
onion
garlic
tomato paste
cayenne
cumin
pepper
salt

directions

1. Make chili ahead of time by frying onions in a big pot. Add ground beef to onions and season with cayenne, cumin, pepper and salt. Sear meat so it is brown and the fat has cooked out into the pot. Add tomato paste and/or canned tomatoes and simmer for 1-2 hours.

2. Dice some red onions. Shred some cheddar cheese. Warm up your chili.

3. Grill up some hot dogs and put them on your favourite hot dog bun. Then later chili, cheese and onions on top in that order.

Guacamole and Salsa Fresca

Guacamole and Salsa Fresca

Guacamole has got to be the ultimate dip. Even better than hummus. Who doesn't like the creamy buttery texture of an avocado? Though, the best part of an avocado is the texture and not the taste. So make sure you mix some wonderful flavours into it.

ingredients:

3-4 avocados

1 tomato
1/2 red onion
1/2 lemon
pinch of salt
2 cloves of garlic

1 tomato
1/2 white onion
handful of cilantro

1/2 jalapeno

salt
pepper

directions:

1. Mash avocados with a hand masher, or a fork if you don't have one. Or any blunt object would do. Mix in chopped tomatoes, red onion, and crushed garlic. Sprinkle with salt, and squeeze in some lemon juice. You can also use lime juice, I just find lemon isn't as bitter and is a little more sweet. Stir the works altogether.

2. Chop tomatoes, white onion, cilantro, and jalapeno (chop it really tiny). The jalapeno is optional for some heat. Mix in a bowl. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper. If you want, you could add some oil and vinegar too it. But I think this way is much more fresh tasting.

Lemony Garlicy Hummus

Lemony Garlicy Hummus

I used to make hummus all the time years ago. And it appears my culinary skills have vastly improved as this was the most tasty hummus I have ever made.

ingredients:

1 can chickpeas
1 tbsp tahini
3 cloves garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lemon (juice and zest)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

directions:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 can of cooked chickpeas, tahini pasta, crushed garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and salt and pepper.

2. Blend until smooth. Add extra water if needed.

3. Serve with baguette or pita or chips. Sprinkle with some chopped parsley if you want to make it look fancy.

Vegetarian Bean Chili

Vegetarian Bean Chili

Ingredients:

1 can Mixed Beans (chickpeas, kidney beans, etc)
1/2 can Black Beans
1/2 can corn (or frozen)
1 can Tomatoes
1 Onion (white or yellow)
1 Red Pepper
2-3 Celery Stalks
2 Cloves Garlic
2 teaspoon cayenne/chili pepper (1 teaspoon if you want it less hot)
1 + 1/2 tablespoon cumin
1 + 1/2 tablespoon coriander
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 veggie cube

Instructions:

1. Crush garlic, and dice 1 onion, 1 red pepper and a couple celery stalks.
2. Toss these elements into a big pot with some margarine in the bottom. Add a little salt if you want, helps release the water inside the vegetables.
3. Let it cook for 5 minutes.
4. Put in 1 can of diced tomatoes.
5. Add spices. 1 veggie cube, 1-2 teaspoon of chili pepper (don't do too much if you don't like things hot), 1 + 1/2 tablespoon of cumin, 1 + 1/2 tablespoon of coriander, 1 tablespoon brown sugar (I like things that are spicey and sweet, you can leave this out if you wish), dash of pepper
6. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.
7. Add in 1 can of mixed beans, 1/2 can of black beans (if they aren't in your mixed beans), and 1/2 can of corn.
8. Simmer for 20 more minutes.
9. I recommend letting it sit/simmer off the heat for a bit with the lid on. This will give the flavours a chance to blend and mingle, and get all happy.
10. Top with shredded cheese and green onion if you wish.
11. Serve with blue corn tortilla chips... and sour cream! My favourite!