Baked Southwest and New York Dogs (recipes)

Confession Time: I. Love. Hot Dogs.

Yeah — that quintessential American kid food is one of my best friends.  I ADORE ’em.  And I love, love, LOVE that some of my favorite restaurants offer unique hot dogs (like Chicago Dogs, New York Dogs, and the Baja Dogs) . . . especially since those hot dogs have been one of my pregnancy cravings lately.

B-U-T, for our one-income family, grabbing a bunch of expensive hot dog combo meals from our local eateries just can’t have a regular place in the budget.  Making these hot dogs, however, can be a budget friendly AND a fun way to get your kids involved in creating the perfect family-friendly meal.

The Evolution of Baked Hot Dogs

Now, the day I decided to try making these hot dogs, I was craving pizza dough.

(In case you didn’t know, pregnancy cravings are unpredictable.)

Like any good preggo does — I combined the foods I wanted and introduced pizza dough to the New York and Southwest hot dogs, baking the dough around my favorite hot dog flavor combinations.

The result?  Just a lip-smacking, FANTASTIC, marriage of a hearty, crusty crusty exterior and a perfectly flavorful, juicy interior of meat and aromatics.

(And . . . in the case of the Southwest dog . . . cheese.  We can’t forget the cheese.)

Or, as the Little Lady said in her simple language, “MOMMY!  These are SO yummy.”

These recipes (or even your own variations – there are so many ways you could take these hot dogs) are so easy to prepare, it’s a piece of cake to get the kidlets in the kitchen to help.   Like making “personal pizzas,” I have a feeling these baked hot dogs will be a new family meal tradition.

The Recipes

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Baked Southwest Hot Dogs

Serves 8; Prep Time – 35 minutes

 Ingredients

1. 8 Hot Dogs
2. 1/2 Cup Onion, diced
3. 1-2 Jalapenos, diced
4. 1 Tomato, diced*
5. Pepper Jack Cheese
6. Pizza Dough**

 Directions

1. Saute the diced onions and jalepenos in a tablespoon of Olive Oil, over medium heat, unil the onions are soft and transluscent. Remove from heat and drain them on a paper towel.
2. Roll out your pizza dough and, using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into eight rectangles, each about two inches wider and longer (on either side) of a hot dog.
3. Lay sliced or grated Pepper Jack cheese in the center of each rectangle (the amount of cheese used is a matter of personal preference), and then top with a hot dog.
4. Spoon the onions and jalapenos over the hot dogs, followed by diced tomatoes.
5. Roll the dough up over the hot dog, pinching all ends to seal the dough.
6. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.

Notes

*To save time: Diced Canned Tomatoes may be used in lieu of fresh tomatoes. Just be sure to drain them well.

**The type of pizza dough used can vary. I used a 30 minute “scratch” recipe, but pizza dough mixes or even refrigerated pizza dough would also work.

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 Baked New York Dogs

Serves 8; Prep Time – 30 minutes

 Ingredients

1. 8 Hot Dogs
2. 1/2 Cup of Onion, diced
3. Saurkraut*
4. Pizza Dough**

 Direction

1. Saute the diced onion in a tablespoon of Olive Oil (over medium heat) until the onion is translucent and soft. Remove from heat and drain the onion over a paper towel.
2. Roll out the pizza dough and, using a pizza cutter or a knife, cut the dough into eight rectangles. Each rectangle should be about two inches longer and wider than either side of a hot dog.
3. Place a hot dog in the center of each dough rectangle.
4. Top each with some of the onions and saurkraut (more or less saurkraut depending on your personal taste).
5. Roll the ends of the dough around the hot dog and fillings, pinching the ends to seal.
6. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
7. Serve with spicy brown mustard.

 Notes

*If you don’t make your own sauerkraut (I don’t), use jarred sauerkraut as opposed to canned. The flavor will be much better.

** The type of pizza dough can vary. I used a no-rise “scratch” recipe but a prepared pizza dough mix, or even refridgerated pizza dough, would work well.

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Linked with Eat At Home Ingredient Spotlight: Hot Dogs & Sausages

Disclosure: This recipe was an original creation I made as part of the H-E-B and Con Agra Meal Maker Challenge of 2011.  I was provided with products, promotional items and compensation.  Any and all opinions expressed are my own.