Category: weekend cooking

Minnesota has taken a turn for the HOT and I am so glad that summer is really here!   😀

Recently when I was in Chicago I experienced my first REAL Chicago Dog.  (When in Rome…)   I wanted it with the works and that is what I got.  Now I am no big hot dog fan, but after tasting this explosion on the taste buds, I realize it is because I had never experienced the Chicago Dog. 

 

All that said…. is your mouth-watering yet?  I thought this would be a fun weekend treat.  The Fourth of July is all about grilling anyway… and what fun to dress up the standard hotdogs? 

So here is how to make a Chicago Dog

 

All Beef Hot Dogs

Poppy Seed Buns (I could not find these so used a bakery wheat bun that was YUM)

tomatoes, sliced

onion, chopped

relish

pickle spears

sports peppers (I substituted banana peppers)

Celery salt

Mustard – Never Ketchup!

 

Grill up those tasty hot dogs.  While they are grilling, wrap the buns in foil and warm them either in the oven or on the grill, being careful not to toast them, just warm. 

When dogs are done – place a pickle spear in each bun.  Place dog on top and load with the other toppings.  Sprinkle celery salt over all and add mustard.

Mouth watering delicious!!!!

This post is part of Weekend Cooking, hosted At Beth Fish Reads.  Stop in and see what else is cooking this weekend.  😀

The weekend is here… could I be more excited?  😛  It has been a crazy busy week and I am winding down from our Missions Auction and Banquet which was last night – and winding up for the Home Show which is this coming weekend…  but for now….. 2 days of pretty much “me time”  😀

Anyway … cooking is the subject right?  Beth Fish Reads hosts this great meme where we can share whats cooking in our homes – and in our reading.  😀  This past week I tried out a new recipe that received raving reports from the guys in my life… crock pot Pizza Pasta…. first off, whats not to love about a crock pot?  It is a busy gals best friend – pop all your ingredients in there – run and do what you need to do…. come home exhausted later in the day and dinner is done 😀

 

Crock Pot Pizza Pasta

 

You need:

1 pound of rigatoni noodles – dry

1 pound of hamburger

1 pound of italian sausage

25 – 50  pepperoni’s

2  1/2 – 3 jars marina sauce

2 TBS dried oregano

2 TBS garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 onion chopped

1 green pepper chopped

2 cups sliced mushrooms (optional)

4 (or more) cups shredded mozzarella

 

Spray the bottom of your crock pot with cooking spray.  Pour marinara sauce into a large bowl and mix in the oregano, garlic, salt, pepper – and any other favorite spices you may wish to use.  Add the DRY rigatoni and stir to coat well with the sauce.

Cook your hamburger, drain and set aside.  Do the same with the italian sausage.

Pour half of the noodle mixture into the crock pot.  Add half of the hamburger (sprinkled over the top), half of the sausage, half of the chopped onion, half of the green pepper, half of the mushrooms, half of the cheese and then a layer of pepperoni on top.

Repeat starting with the noodles, a second layer on top – ending with the pepperoni again.

Set crock pot on low and let cook for 6 hours.  Serve with a yummy garlic bread.

**When I first made this I used 2 jars of marinara and felt afterward it could have used more… you could use more in the original mixing with the noodles, or add more between the two layers to seep in.

Enjoy!  😀

For more recipes – this past week my book club review Cutting For Stone and we made Ethiopian food to go along with the review.  This was probably the best food we have ever had for a review.  Who knew Ethiopian food was so delicious?  The recipes are here.