tailgating Archives - Ari's Menu

Buffalo Hot Dogs

September 14, 2014 · by Ari ·

Spicy and flavorful, buffalo sauce meets hot dogs for the perfect easy grill or tailgating recipe that will satisfy all the men in your life while still maintaining secretly healthy ingredients!

Ummm, is it really Monday again already? Last week I had Monday AND Tuesday off because Arizona apparently can’t handle rain and the entire Phoenix metro area was basically flooded. Well, it was flooded on Monday. I have no idea why we didn’t have school on Tuesday, but I’m not complaining. I do have to say that it made going back to work on Wednesday, like, ridiculously hard, and now I can’t believe I have to work a real 5 day week. My life is so hard.

I have been the worst about meal planning. When I’m good, I’m so good, and I’m making new recipes multiple times per week, and saving money, and eating great dinners! But then I get busy, and the next thing I know, Steve and I are riding our bikes at 7:3o pm in the dark, and we’re both starving and have no idea what we’re going to eat for dinner.

That night, I remembered when we were about 3 miles from home that we still had hot dogs in the freezer, and it was pretty much the happiest moment of my life. I freaking love hot dogs. It’s silly, but I do. They’re so easy, and so delicious, and the possibilities are endless!

I’m also a freak for buffalo sauce, so the combination? It rocked my world. Also, I’m one of those weird people that eats my hot dog with no bun because I really do just enjoy the taste of it. It don’t be needin’ no breads. But photos, photos need bread. My hot dog on a plate is, uhhh, less than pretty. So you’re welcome for the bread. It’s hangin’ out just for show. 😉

This meal comes together in about 3 seconds. Okay, more like 10 minutes, but that might as well be 3 seconds when it comes to a delicious dinner! Just a few minutes to grill the hot dogs, mix together the sauce, and chop some celery and you are done! That’s how I like my dinner. Ready before I have a chance to back out on cooking and head to Chipotle.

Also, about a million bold flavors is a necessity. I think I’m the opposite of a super taster. Like, I need to taste ALL OF THE THINGS in order to be happy. So if you’re anything like me, these will make you happy too!

Buffalo Hot Dogs

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 4 hot dogs

Serving Size: 1 hot dog

Buffalo Hot Dogs

Spicy and flavorful, buffalo chicken meets hot dogs for the perfect easy grill or tailgating recipe that will satisfy all the men in your life while still maintaining secretly healthy ingredients!

Ingredients

4 hot dogs (preferably all beef or turkey)*
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1-2 tablespoons buffalo sauce (preferably Frank's Red Hot)
1/2 teaspoon ranch seasoning
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
freshly crumbled blue cheese
hot dog buns, if desired

Instructions

Grill hot dogs over medium heat until warmed throughout, about 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning. Drizzle cooked hot dogs with prepared Greek yogurt buffalo sauce. Top with chopped celery and blue cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

*I try to look for a lower in fat turkey or beef dog that is nitrate free. I especially love Fork in the Road (disclosure: they have sent me products in the past, but I loved them even before that!). Also, not all hot dogs are gluten-free. If you eat gluten-free, be sure to check the labels.

https://arismenu.com/buffalo-hot-dogs/

Everything Bagel & Cream Cheese Dip

September 7, 2014 · by Ari ·

Everything you love about an everything bagel and cream cheese in a creamy and addicting dip perfect for parties, get togethers, or tailgating. Tons of bold flavor, ridiculously easy, and perfect for sharing.

Have you ever noticed how quickly dips seem to disappear at a party? I always end up standing around totally hoarding the dip until it’s time to eat something more closely resembling an actual meal, and then I’m like “Whoooops…I ate my weight in dip, but I guess I’ll eat this too…”

In fact, I kinda wish I could live off snack food. I mean, not actually because I’m one of those people that needs something to be called a meal in order to feel full. I’m sure it’s mental. Either that, or it is just related to my insane hunger that is probably equivalent to a 300 pound body builder.

So I made this dip, and then I pretty much hoarded it. Well, actually, I think Steve hoarded it more than I did. I made it the day before, and he took one bite and announced that there probably wouldn’t be any left by the time people arrived the next day. He is usually pretty hard to read and says things like “Yeah, it’s good”, so I guess he really liked this one.

Although, what’s not to like? Cream cheese, garlic, onion, salt, and lots of seeds paired with perfectly crunchy bagel chips–it’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures, and it’s almost like breakfast in an appetizer.

I lightened it up with a little bit of Greek yogurt (that I promise you can’t detect, like, at all), and I ate mine with gluten-free bagel chips, but feel free to use whatever you like, or even toast up some bagels, then cut them into small pieces for dipping!

Everything Bagel & Cream Cheese Dip

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Yield: approx 3 cups

Everything Bagel & Cream Cheese Dip

Ingredients

1 pound reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup poppy seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup dried minced onion
4 cloves garlic, roasted and finely chopped
generous pinch sea salt
bagel chips for serving (I used gluten-free)

Instructions

Beat all ingredients together in a large bowl until smooth and well combined. Serve immediately with bagel chips or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

Notes

Best served at room temperature. If you refrigerate before serving, let the dip soften, then lightly beat with a hand mixer again.

https://arismenu.com/bagel-cream-cheese-dip/

Drink & Dish: Jalapeno Popper Hot Dogs

August 29, 2013 · by Ari ·

So…apparently it’s football season? Or it’s about to be? To be honest, I have absolutely no idea. Sometimes people post things about it on facebook, and as soon as I even read the word football, I immediately think “Ewww” and scroll away.

I went to school at the University of Idaho (yes….Idaho), and football was a BIG deal. We had some big rivalry with Boise State, but our football team was terrible, and I’m pretty sure we never won a single game.

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I’ve never been a sports person. Like, at all. I was always the un-athletic artsy kid, and even now that I have a tumultuous love affair with endurance sports, I have to admit that I still don’t really enjoy watching any of them. I’ve always said the only reason I wanted to go to any sporting event was for the hot dogs. I’ve never had any problem getting excited about food.

I knew I wanted to create a delicious hot dog for our tailgating episode of Drink & Dish, but I wasn’t quite sure where I wanted to take it, until I had a little brainstorming sesh with one of my favorite foodies, and before I knew it, I was sold on these jalapeno popper dog. I mean, let’s get real here–it’s a hot dog wrapped in bacon topped with jalapeno cream cheese, then topped with more cheese and fresh jalapenos. It is every bit as delicious as it sounds–the flavors, the textures!–and shockingly light in the calorie department. I mean, it’s no green smoothie, but pair it with some veggies, and it is a delicious meal for any occasion.

The cream cheese mixture is easy to make ahead and take with you to your tailgating event, and the hot dogs come together in minutes! They pair perfectly with Nicole’s game day beer punch. Nicole and I both agreed that this episode of D&D has to be one of our favorites. Check it out!

Drink & Dish: Jalapeno Popper Hot Dogs

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 2 hot dogs*

Serving Size: 1 hot dog

Drink & Dish: Jalapeno Popper Hot Dogs

Ingredients

1/4 cup reduced fat cream cheese
2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt, nonfat or low-fat
1/2 jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed (+ extra for topping)
1 clove garlic
2 low fat all beef hot dogs (or turkey dogs)
2 slices center cut bacon
2 hot dog buns, preferably whole grain (whole wheat, any whole grain gluten-free option, etc.),
Approx 2 tbsp freshly shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

Instructions

Place cream cheese, Greek yogurt, 1/2 jalapeno and garlic in food processor. Pulse until well combined.
Wrap a bacon slice around each hot dog and grill over medium heat until hot dog is warmed and bacon is fully cooked, about 4-6 minutes.
To serve, place cooked hot dog inside a hot dog bun (I always toast mine a little on the grill first). Top with cream cheese mixture, a pinch of cheddar cheese and a few jalapeno slices if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Depending on how much cream cheese mixture you like, you may have enough to top a 3rd hot dog if desired.

https://arismenu.com/drink-dish-jalapeno-popper-hot-dogs/