Happy National Hot Dog Day! July 23rd 2013

Garden Dog

The Day is here! The hot dog is one of America's favorite past time food.  A simple link can be decorated with any topping to cater to your tastes. Last month, Just Grillin sampled bacon wrapped cheddar hot dogs and they were a hit.  We found another twist to your classic dog- a "Garden Hot Dog".  

Ingredients:

• 8 hot dogs or polish sausages
• 8 hot dog buns
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
• 1 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 Tb. fresh chopped dill
• 1 Tb. Musselman's Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 Tb. olive oil
• 1 Tb. honey
• Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the grill. Pour the Musselman's Apple Cider Vinegar, olive oil and  honey in a medium bowl. Whisk well, then thinly slice the radishes, cucumbers, and onion and place them in the bowl. Top with fresh dill and toss to coat. Salt and Pepper to taste and set aside.
2. Spread one ounce of cream cheese on each hot dog bun. Place the hot dogs in the buns and set them on a baking sheet. Bake the hot dogs for 5-8 minutes until the hot dog in warmed through and the cream cheese in melted. Top each hot dog with the veggie salad and serve warm.

Which is Healthier? June 5th 2013

Before you fire up the grill, find out how your summer cookout staples stack up.

Ketchup vs Mustard

Neither of these fat free condiments is a bad choice, but while a tablespoon of ketchup contains 4 grams of sugar and 20 calories, yellow mustard has almost no sugar or calories.  The only downside: Mustard is slightly higher in sodium. 

Winner: Mustard

Sweet Pickles vs Dill Pickles

Sweet pickles have seven times the calrie and more 13 times the sugar content of dills.  Dill pickles contain almost twice as much sodium as sweet pickles, but assuming you don't put too many slices on your burger, they're the better option

Winner: Dill Pickles

Hamburger vs Hot Dog

Franks and quarter pound burgers each contain about 200 calories, but a single hot dog has more than 25% of your maximum daily sodium (compared with only 3% in a burger patty). Most hot dogs are also higher in fat and contain nitrites, preservatives that may increase your cancer risk.

Winner: Hamburger

Potato Chips vs Tortilla Chips

Potato chips are higher in vitamin C- an ounce gives you 10% of your daily reommended intake- but that's their only upside. Tortilla chips are lower in calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium, and they contain more calcium.  Bonus: the dips you eat with tortilla chips (guacamole and salsa) are more healthful than the standard ranch or sour cream and onion dip. 

Winner: Tortilla Chips

Plain Buns vs Potato Buns

Potato buns have about twice s much sugar as plain (that's why they taste so much sweeter), but they also contain more protein.  Beyond that, the two are almost identical in fat, calorie and fiber counts, so pick the one you like.

Winner: It's a draw