July is National HOT DOG Month

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Did you know that July is National Hot Dog month and 21st of July is the National Hot dog Day?? Yup one of kids and back yard bar-b-ques favorite!  Hot Dog Day is an annual event and it began in 1972. And, New Yorkers consume more hot dogs than any other city, beating out Chicago and Los Angeles! 
And according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, [did you even know that this council existed, I didn't]  Americans will be consuming the infamous little red tubes of "meat" in record numbers this summer.

 

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The Council estimates that over seven billion [wow] hot dogs will be eaten by Americans between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During the past July 4th weekend alone (the biggest hot-dog holiday of the year), 155 million will be eaten! Of those numbers 818 will be eaten every second during the month! Wow!! Every year, Americans eat an average of 60 hot dogs each. [hmmm not me] They are clearly one of the country's most loved, but most misunderstood, comfort foods. Below you'll find some frequently asked questions regarding the hot dog. 

How did the "Hot Dog" get its name you ask? Well the term "hot dog" actually is credited to sports cartoonist Tad Dorgan. At a 1901 baseball game at the Polo Grounds in New York, vendors began selling hot dachsund sausages in rolls.

Now for the healthy question. What are hot dogs actually made of? do you really want to know?  The council actually refers to the "hot dogs" insides as "specially selected meat trimmings" is that scary? You bet-cha!  

But fear not, as the DOA [Department of Agriculture] has rules about this and the "hot dog" has become much leaner and must be made of muscle from the animal. Does that make you feel better? 

In most supermarkets the casings are cellulose casings, which are removed before packaging and some still use the traditional natural casings. :) Feel better now? These are made from animal intestines. Yuck! But there is still that unknown substance that the law allows, 3% non-meat ingredients???? Hmmm now what could that be???? Don't get too scared, this is usually just some sort of milk or soy product with a little nutritional values added to our dogs! Believe it or not the "dog" may be high in sodium and fat, but they are also a good source of protein and iron and other necessary vitamins. 

To tally it all up, eat the "hot dog" if you like them, just 


The Weinermobile

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Do you remember this "weiner" mobile? It's one of the most unique yet most recognizable vehicles ever designed and just the sight of it will make you hungry!


How about an "Octopus Dog"

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Make them for the kids.... These are called "Octopus Hot Dogs"


Let's Make "Mummy Dogs"

How to make them

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How to make them




The "Dog" Hor Dog Buns

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Easy to make 

You will need:

1 

just follow the photo and get a package of pre-made roll dough, shape into the the dogs face, use one for each ear and 3 for the face, one for each cheek and one for the forhead, they will blend together as they bake, the back side can be plain with no face. The features are black beans stuck into the dough right after you remove them from the oven... add your dog between 2 and there's your Hot "dog" too cute!!!! 


Safe way for kids to eat Hot Dogs....

And for a Hot Dog Recipe:


This is called "The Bull Dog"

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Ingredients

• 6 all-beef hot dogs
• 6 hot dog buns
• Mustard, for serving
• Classic Creamy Coleslaw, for serving
• Real-Deal Chili, for serving
• Chopped white onion, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat griddle to medium heat. Fill a medium saucepan three-quarters full of water; bring to a boil. Add hot dogs, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until hot dogs are plump and heated through, about 6 minutes.
2. Using tongs, transfer hot dogs to griddle. Open buns and place interior-side down on griddle. Cook hot dogs and buns until lightly browned.
3. Serve hot dogs in buns with mustard, coleslaw, chili, and onions.