Hot Dog It’s Memorial Day

Come Monday, millions of Americans will gather with family and friends to celebrate (and hopefully honor) those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  These celebrations usually, if not always, involve food.  Hot dogs are often the food of choice on this holiday.  So we have a particularly yummy one to share with you today.  On any given day on the streets of downtown Los Angeles, one can get a whiff of the delightful smell of hot dogs cooking. There are hot dog carts on nearly every corner it seems.  But not the sort you find in New York City for example.  These are Mexican hot dog vendors, and the dogs they sell are unique and delicious.  If you wrap a hot dog in bacon how could it be anything but yummy no matter what else you do to it.

So today we will share our version of the downtown L.A. Mexican hot dog.  Our dog is wrapped in bacon and then roasted in a very hot oven, 450 degrees until the bacon has begun to crisp.  If you want to do them on your barbecue place a cookie sheet or metal pie pan on top of the grill and roast them that way.

Once your hot dogs are nearly finished, wrap the buns in aluminum foil and warm them.  While the buns are warming, make a sauce by mixing 1/4 cup mayo with 2-3 tablespoons of Tabasco Chipotle sauce or the hot sauce of your choice.  Chop some green onion, and a tomato, grate some cheese, (pepper jack is a good choice or a sharp cheddar) and slice an avocado.  Drain some pickled jalapeño peppers.

Once your bun is warm, spread some of the sauce on the bun, add your hot dog.  Next add the grated cheese.  Sprinkle some green onion and tomato on top.  Slip some avocado slices on the side of the bun.  Top with some pickled jalapeños and finally drizzle with a bit more sauce.

Now add some chips (homemade tortilla chips are a great choice) and maybe add a delicious margarita and raise a glass to those who have served us so very well 🙂