Friday, October 14, 2011

The Perfect Hot Dog




Well said, Clint!  I love hot dogs, but no ketchup for me.  I only want Grandma's Chili Sauce.  It's a memory from childhood that I recreate from time to time when we have a bounty of tomatoes.

I checked several on-line cooking sites for a definition of "chili sauce" and discovered that the recipes are many and varied.  In general, it's a tomato-based condiment which is likely to include onions, sugar, vinegar and spices.  It is also likely to have some form of chili peppers or powder, thus the name - but not Grandma's version.   My family is not big on spicy food (one of the many things I had to learn from Dave) so Grandma's Chili Sauce is basically a home-made ketchup - but much, much better.  I suppose you could add chilies if you want, but Grandma wouldn't approve.

I work in half-batches, because I don't own a pot large enough to hold a full batch.  I can my chili sauce in 12 oz. jelly jars.  Cause Grandma did, that's why.  A full recipe will make 18-20 jars.   If you're not a canner, it is acceptable to put the chili sauce into larger jars and store directly in the refrigerator, if you plan to use it relatively soon.  It will keep for months. I've never tried cutting the recipe smaller than in half, but don't know why it wouldn't work if you don't have that much available fridge space or won't use it up quickly enough.

Also, if you don't own a kitchen scale, weigh your tomatoes by putting them all into a plastic grocery bag and hanging them from your husband's hand.  In his other hand, place a 10 lb. bag of flour and see which way he tips.  It's not totally accurate, but it's funny.

Rosa's Chili Sauce

12-13 lbs. tomatoes (cored, peeled and chopped)
2 c. chopped onion
3 c. sugar
4 c. vinegar
2 T. salt
2 t. nutmeg
2 t. allspice
1 t. cloves

Mix all ingredients and simmer for 30-45 minutes until slightly thickened (barely thick enough to stay on your hamburger).  Pack in pre-heated canning jars, seal and process for 15 minutes.


One of my favorite evening pass-times during cool weather is to build a fire in the outdoor fire pit and roast hotdogs.  With Grandma's Chili sauce - it's even better.  Pass the S'mores!


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11 comments:

  1. It sounds very good. I really don't put chili on my hot dogs. Coming from Chicago it was all about the mustard! I will have to try this.

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  2. I like this recipe! And I liked how you measure; that is cute in itself!

    I bet when you make the recipe, it brings back memories of wonderful times spent with your grandmother!!

    have a good weekend!

    betty

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  3. My husband is the hot dog connoisseur in our house -- only mustard for him. I do like the sound of this chili sauce recipe -- I'm not much for spicy. I'll have to try this, tho, I'm a vegetarian, I'll be using it on something other than a hot dog :)

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  4. I totally agree with Harry/Clint but we are mustard lovers. We do use chili sauce for a lot of other things though and I am happy to see a tried and true recipe for homemade sauce. I will remember to use Mr. BFR as my scale. :)

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  5. Word up, Clint! I love ketchup, but only with my fries. I'm a vegetarian, so won't likely be eating hotdogs (because the fake dogs are not really tasty...). Your chili sauce sounds really nice though, and since I have been wanting to make ketchup... err... tomato sauce from scratch, I might give it a go! Thanks for sharing this family recipe :)

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  6. Very, very funny clip! I'm a vegetarian but I think the sauce sounds great.

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  7. ha ha ha! That's a great clip =) I definitely love all types of hotdogs...with all types of toppings (even ketchup occasionally...as long as there'd mustard and onions on there with it). I would love to try this chili sauce one of these times :D

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  8. only mustard belongs on a hot dog!

    ok, mustard plus some other things..sauerkraut..relish.
    I had a great hawaiian relish on a hot dog recently, a bit spicy, a little sweet and sour thing.

    but no ketchup

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  9. I don't eat hot dogs anymore since I stopped eating meat, but before I ate it with mayo and ketchup. Still chili sauce tastes good with vegetarian bapao! I never made chili sauce myself before so I might give it a go :)

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  10. Great clip! Chilli sauce is good mixed with soy sauce and used to marinade chicken legs before baking in the oven, but I’ve only used commercial sauce. Yours sounds much nicer.

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  11. My mom used to make and can chili sauce. It is so much better to make your own than buy it in the store. We never put it on hot dogs though. That is an excellent idea!

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