Hot Dog Fest X

Last year, Jon and I began a tradition: Burger Fest.  As vegetarians, we like to eat healthy- it’s one of the reasons we are vegetarian, after all.  However, there are times where we feel that people equate vegetarianism with a boring, healthy diet.  Take plane food for instance, yes it’s horrible, but if you ask for the veg option you get this tray of healthy stuff.  At first it’s great, but then you realize that for an app are two pathetic looking carrot sticks, and for desert: a naff whole grain piece of cardboard that is meant to pass for a cookie.  Meanwhile, your fellow passenger who got the chicken entree has some cheese and crackers as an app, and a chocolate brownie with ice cream for dessert.

Burgerfest is a celebration of being vegetarian, but still eating indulgently cheesey, greasy (veg) burgers once in a while.  Last year for example, Jon had fried onions, 2 patties, facon swiss cheese, mushrooms, barbecue sauce etc.  This year Burger fest falls on a Friday- 16th April.  While musing about how Burger fest can’t come soon enough, we thought “What About Hot Dog Fest?”  So we planned out our hotdogs and made a go of it.

It was our first Hot Dog Fest, and probably the last due to one major revelation:  I don’t think I really like Hot Dogs. It just wasn’t the same as Burger Fest.  Our downfall may have been the jumbo hot dogs, or the fact that we used hoagies instead of hot dog buns.  As a result, we ended up so full from the bread and in a soy-coma.  Nonetheless, our toppings were creative and delicious, so here they are..

1. Tater tots, Facon, Monterrey Jack Cheese, Fresh Chives and Spicy Mayo (above)

2. Trinidadian Salsa (Carrots, Fresh Cilantro, Lime, Green Chili, Garlic), Grilled Feta, Black Olives, and Smoked Paprika (above)

3. Chili, Onions, and Mustard (below)

4. The Deconstructed Corn Dog: Hush Puppies, Mustard and Ketchup (below)