On the news last night was a bit about a study to determine at what ages people are most happy. Turns out there are two ages where humans are happiest. Age 23 is the first, probably because a 23 year old is too young to know better and they showed a picture of Taylor Swift who is 23 and really, what does she have to be unhappy about?!? The other age is 69, and I'm guessing here but at that age people are probably happy because either they've given up or they can't remember why they're unhappy!? A picture of Mick Jagger was shown...you know, your typical 69 year old. And someone was paid to study this and bring us this information. So I asked the mister at what age he was the happiest and he paused a bit and then said, "The age I was when I met you." Aaaaah, isn't that sweet, I thought as I was laughing hysterically. Then the mister laughed. Not even he believed that!
Hot dogs are not one of my favorite foods - unless I'm at the ballpark - but I loved these hot dogs! And I'm sure you could have guessed, the mister is a freak about hot dogs and will eat them straight from the refrigerator/package like a piece of celery, which he holds like a cigar. Did you throw up a little in your mouth just then? He hates them grilled and prefers to have them boiled in water, then devours them with just a touch of yellow mustard. What must it be like to walk through life with a palate like that?!? Thinking a cold hot dog or even a boiled one is the best food on the planet?!?
I'm sure you've seen these before - I showed a pic I found on Flickr to the mister and told him we would be dining on cheese-stuffed-bacon-wrapped-grilled-hot dogs and he said, "Fine, if we have to." And we did, have to I mean...everyone should have to try a hot dog like this at least once during the summer...they're worth running the risk of needing a defibrillator.
By the way, the markets are full of sweet Walla Walla onions right now...so good you could just peel away a few pieces of skin and take a bite...if you didn't have any social plans for the rest of the day, that is! Now is the time to stock up so treat yourself to a bag/box! I am not being compensated to say that, I just happen to love Walla Walla's! Now, about the hot dogs...they're easy to make...slit them open, stuff with cheese and pieces of Walla Walla onions, wrap tightly with bacon and secure with toothpicks, then grill. But stay close to the grill because they need to be turned frequently and you might want to have a spray bottle of water near by because some of the cheese will leak out the ends and the grease from the bacon will cause flames to erupt...but that just adds to the fun! The dogs come off the grill being crispy on the outside with cheesy goodness on the inside...nothing else is needed but if you want, squeeze on some mustard, or in my case, ketchup...these are dang good - four dangs on the ol' meter! Invite your friends over and serve 'em these dogs...up - and it doesn't matter what age they are, they will definitely be happy eating these - oh, make extra, everyone will want two.
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs - Pots and Pins
8 bun-length hot dogs
cheese slices/chunks (I used pimento cheese and most of it leaked out so I would recommend using a harder cheese to begin with - like sharp cheddar chunks)
16 strips center-cut bacon (center-cut bacon is leaner but it's also shorter so two strips will be needed to completely cover one hot dog)
1/4 cup finely diced onion (You know Walla Walla's are the only onion to choose!)
8 hot dog buns
mustard and ketchup for serving
Make a slice down the middle of each hot dog, being careful not to slice all the way though. Spread open and place chunks of cheese and onion pieces in hot dog. Each hot dog will require two strips of bacon, start at the end with one piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick, while gently pushing the hot dog closed. Wrap the bacon around the hot dog and when you run out of bacon, secure the end and the next strip of bacon together and continue wrapping the second strip of bacon. The tighter you wrap the bacon the more cheese you'll have in the dog. Grill, turning frequently to prevent flare-ups and burning, about 30 seconds to 1 minutes on each side. When bacon is done/crisp, the dog is done. Remove to a plate. Grill buns, inside down, until golden brown (optional). Serve hot dogs with buns and mustard and/or ketchup, if desired. Makes 8 hot dogs.
Just in case you need another reason to make these, football season has begun and these are the perfect football food! The teams are back on the practice field and pre-season games start in just a little over a week - the mister is almost happy!
P.S. Happy Pioneer Day!
