Every now and then, I get cravings for foods I?ve never liked before. I can?t explain it?I?ll be watching TV or reading a book and come across some food that never really floated my boat, and I will have an uncontrollable urge to eat it. I also believe when I don?t like food, I just haven?t it prepared correctly, or at least to my preferences. So I try to find ways to make me like food I hate. Like chili dogs! I always hated canned chili, and I couldn?t imagine it tasted any better on top of a hot dog, so I have always avoided them. I played around on the Internet for a while and came across two good looking chili dog recipes, one for a coney island chili dog and one for Tyler Florence?s chili dogs (he?s my food boyfriend). I?ve been in an experimenting mood lately, so I made both. I used smoked viennas from the local deli, the closest I have come to an American style hot dog. Average store bought bun, but I was in the rush that night, so leave me alone about that. I made both of the chilis and was pretty impressed. The coney island chili tasted a lot like a sloppy joe topping, sort of savory and spicy with a hint of sweet. The Tyler recipe was much sweeter and tangy, but it worked just as well. A chili for every mood, I say! I also saw a tip on a food message board about pureeing the chili for a little bit in the food processor, to get that canned chili texture from my youth. Not only did it make the chili taste better, but it was a lot easier to eat, too. No chunks of chili flying off when you bit into it. Coney Dog
Tyler Dog
Another food fear busted. Chili dogs have rocked my world, and given me a good excuse to make up a food themed night in my house. Ever since I got married, I have wanted to have an excuse for that! Taco night, fondue night, and now?chili dog night! I am so married. ~LTG
