Fall Food * It's What's For Dinner

They look hungry, don't they? 

Here in North Carolina, it's starting to feel like Fall and that craving for Fall comfort foods has come upon me.  Soups. Roasted veggies. Baked breads. Casseroles. And Chili Dogs.  What? You don't crave chili dogs in the fall?! Well, we Callahans do. Actually, there are a couple of us that could eat hot dogs five days a week (youngest bonus daughter, I'm lookin' at you, sugar).  

But chili dogs are messy. Even for grown ups. One could end up with chili down a shirt, in  a lap or at a minimum all over your face and arm. And that's when Mr. Matt, our cool neighbor next door, stepped in to once again save the day. He told us he serves his chili dogs. . . . wait for it. . . . in a big ol' coffee mug. Yup. A coffee mug. Brilliant! It was such a brilliant idea, I turned to The Hubbs and said, "We're having chili dogs on the next night that it's our turn to have the kids."  And off to the store we went.  

It can be a bit tricky to find stuff that everyone will like that I can eat.  But I was certain that with a little work (and some avoidance on my part) we could sit down to eat basically the same meal together.  I found hotdogs with out corn or gluten in them at our local Harris Teeter.  And shredded cheese made from almond milk for me (cheddar for the girls), which we already had on hand.  I sacrificed the bun on mine for a second hot dog and we bought Amy's Chili (gluten and corn free and also from Harris Teeter) to top it all off. 

First, I heated up the chili and boiled the hot dogs.  We like our hot dogs boiled, but you could roast, grill or fry them if you'd rather.

 

Then I buttered up the hot dogs buns for the rest of the family and stuck them in my toaster oven on "toast" for six minutes.

While they were toasting and the chili and hot dogs were warming, I made a quick salad and got the cheese and sour cream out.  And I set out my vintage Pyrex individual baking dishes that I usually use for baked oatmeal or single serve brownies.  They're the perfect size and shape for our chili dog concoction.

Once the buns were toasted and everything was heated, I moved it all to the kitchen island to assemble.  First you stick a dog in the bun then cut it up.  Put the pieces in the dish and cover with chili and sprinkle on the shredded cheese.  After assembling each one, I stuck into the still warm toaster oven - just to get the cheese to melt.  

The bonus daughters came down from their room, noses sniffing the air, asking if we were having pizza.  Nope better than that.  Out came the baking dishes and everyone doctored theirs up as they see fit (some with sour cream, some with more cheese and of course The Hubbs had to add heat in the form of hot sauce).  

It couldn't have been faster or easier. No messes on the adults, kids or the table.  Clean up was a snap.  And guess what.  EVERYONE LOVED THEM!  That's always a big win in my book.  This would even be a great serving idea for a football party. Which is what we wanted to do, until we realized The Hubbs needed to shuffle girls around to sports practices all evening.  (Remember - his beloved KC Chiefs were on last night).  No party for us.  So there, Fall.  We're gave in to your cravings even with out the party.  And who knows.  Maybe tonight we'll have roasted veggies.  You're welcome.