While my husband and I have learned to appreciate our new eating habits and can turn away from grease laden foods, my Kidlets still have their favorite dishes and it’s been interesting learning how to adjust the meals so that the Little Lady and Mr. Boy can have their favs without loading on unneeded calories and fat.
One of those favorite foods is the good ol’ American hot dog. The Little Lady ADORES hot dogs — it’s almost ridiculous how much so. Since we switched to “healthy” food, hot dogs have not been seen around our household. . . till this week.
I decided to let her have a hot dog night but we’re doing it differently than before. No full fat hot dogs — no refined white bread buns — no greasy potato chips.
Instead, I used Hebrew National All-Beef 97% Fat Free Franks. I’ll be honest, this wasn’t a brand I had tried before, BUT my local grocery store chain (H-E-B) is currently offering an in-store coupon for them as part of their Back to School Meal Maker Challenge. Can’t pass up a deal!
Having a nearly fat-free frank was a good start — but what about the bun? Would I be able to find a healthy alternative for the traditional hot dog bun?
Way down on the very bottom shelf of the bread aisle, nearly hidden by bags and bags of standard white bread buns, I found them — 100% whole wheat, fructose-free hot dog buns.
(Woo hoo for my stellar detective skills!!!)
Since I am always looking for ways to sneak veggies into foods, I decided we needed a veggie topping . . . a REAL veggie topping.
Enter the Grilled Vegetables.
Oh. My. WORD.
Yum, yum, yum, and more yum.
Adding grilled vegetables on top of a grilled hot dog is DIVINE! (no exaggeration)
With sides of baked Sweet Potato Fries (the healthy alternative to standard fries/potato chips) and a salad of crisp romaine and red leaf lettuce, we have one of my new favorite summer meals. Hubby spread a little Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard on his and loved it.
Oh, yeah . . . the kidlets liked it too!
Practically Guilt Free Grilled Veggie Hot Dogs
- Hebrew National 97% Fat Free Franks (or Turkey Franks)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into thin strips
- 8 ounces of sliced Baby Portabella mushrooms.
- 100% Whole Wheat Hot Dog Buns
- Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard (optional)
Prior to heating up your grill, place grilling foil on half of the grill.
On the “bare” side, grill the franks for 5-8 minutes, rotating to ensure even grill marks.
Spray grilling spray (we used Pam’s grilling spray) onto the foil and spread the veggies evenly over it.
Grill the veggies for around 5 minutes or until they have a nice grill look to them.
Assemble your hot dog, bun, grilled veggies and spicy mustard . . . then enjoy!
*Disclosure: this post was originally published as part of a Back To School Meal program by HEB and ConAgra; I was compensated for my recipe creations and posts.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I struggle with this too. I am not a big fan of hot dogs but my kids love them and bologna too. I do give in once in awhile to this stuff and it is good to see there are guilt free versions of at least the hot dogs.
those are the hot dogs we normallly buy too! My girls love them.
I never thought to top them with grilled veggies, going to have to try that soon.
I love reading your healthy outlook on foods, as I often look for new ideas.
Kris´s last [type] ..Its kinda like Sardines
Those look sooo tasty. I have never though of adding veggies like that to a hot dog but I love to make veggies like that for sides… Mmm!
The veggies look yummy! I’d skip the bun and wrap it all up in a whole wheat tortilla. Thanks for the ideas!
A whole wheat tortilla would be good too — if I hadn’t found the whole wheat buns, I probably would have done the same!
Um…yummy! And I big puffy heart sweet potato fries.
Adding grilled veggies to a hot dog is a great idea! Thanks for the tip, I had never thought of that before.
Beeb Ashcroft´s last [type] ..AT&T Samsung Rugby II Cell Phone Giveaway – 2 Winners – Ends 08-26
What an EXCELLENT idea! Looks like you have mushrooms and peppers on the hot dogs? MMMM!!! I’m drooling!
I ♥ sweet potato fries too!
Thanks for the great ideas!
Yes — I had my husband grill the mushrooms (I used sliced baby portabellas) and a red pepper slices. It was REALLY good. He ended up using a bit of Gulden’s Spicy brown Mustard and said that (with the grilled veggies) was amazing!
My kids don’t really care for hot dogs, but maybe if I made them like you do, they will change their minds! YUM is right!!
I love ground turkey instead of beef (don’t tell grandpa, lol) so I’ll have to try the turkey franks!!
Thanks for the review! I’m willing to try these out. Your recipe looks great and I <3 sweet potato fries!