Chili Cheese Dogs

Summer is in full swing.  We just celebrated the 4th of July and you know what that means:  Cook-Outs, Barbecues and Picnics.  Potato Salad, Popsicles and of course: Chili Cheese Dogs.  Hot Dogs are the quintessential backyard food of summer, and there's nothing better than one topped with tasty chili.  It's also time for our Summer Edition of Freaky Friday.  That's where us food bloggers get together and re-create each other's recipes.  It's a secret for everyone, including you!  The most fun is seeing who was assigned your blog and what they chose to make.  It's also a great way for you, the reader to meet some new bloggers and find lots of great new recipe ideas.  This time I was assigned the LeMoine Family Kitchen blog.  Angela is a busy mom of two boys and Jersey girl at heart, with a true passion for cooking!  I love following Angela on social media and I often comment I wish I had half her energy!  With Italian roots, you'll find many traditional Italian recipes on Angela's blog, like Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs or Tortellini Pomodoro.  You'll also find a variety of other cuisines, some healthy choices (which I love!) and some clever twists on old favorites.  I couldn't decide on a recipe because everything, and I mean everything on Angela's blog looks amazing.  We tried and loved the BLT Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocados and the Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Potatoes (sheet pan dinners = easy clean up!) I was really torn about which recipe to blog today, but ultimately I went with Chili Cheese Dogs because they seemed so fun and appropriate for our July theme!

Don't these look wonderful?
The perfect summer meal!

Grilled hot dogs, topped
with a seasoned simmered chili
and shredded Cheddar cheese.
Yum!

Ideal for your next potluck, picnic,
cook out or tailgate...

Thank you Angela from
LeMoine Family Kitchen
for the great recipe!

Make your next hot dog a
CHILI CHEESE DOG
with a big pot of LeMoine Family Kitchen Chili.

CHILI CHEESE DOGS
from: LeMoine Family Kitchen

1.5 pounds lean ground beef
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2-3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh jalapeno
3 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoon salt
1.5 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1.5 cups water
3 tablespoons olive oil
hot dogs
buns
shredded cheddar cheese

In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, add the olive oil, onion and jalapeno.  Once the onion and jalapeno are softened, go ahead and add the chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, cumin and salt.  Cook for one minute.  Add in the canned crushed tomatoes, water and ground beef.  Using a potato masher OR this really cool tool (the handiest little gadget EVER) break up the meat until a fine texture is reached.  Simmer on low 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Season with salt and pepper to taste if needed.  Grill up your hot dogs, place in the buns, top with some chili and shredded cheddar.

Prep Time:  Approximately 10 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 30 minutes

If you enjoyed this recipe, try some of my previous
FREAKY FRIDAY FINDS:

Chocolate Covered Snickers Strawberries

Southwestern Coleslaw

Man Bars

Be Sure to Visit our other FREAKY FRIDAY Bloggers for more great recipes:

• An Affair from the Heart: Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
• Lemoine Family Kitchen: Easy Peasy Corn Pudding
• Take Two Tapas: Large Batch Cherry Manhattan Party Punch
• Seduction in the Kitchen: No Churn Raspberry Moscato Wine Ice Cream
• West Via Midwest: Creamy Lemon Ice Cream
• Bowl Me Over: Homemade French Onion Soup
• The Devilish Dish: Chili Cheese Corn Dogs
• Mildly Meandering: Chai Latte Dip
• Who Needs a Cape?: Hash Brown Taco Casserole
• A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures: German Soft Pretzels
• PlatterTalk: Posole