i think i may have mentioned this before, but i was a picky eater growing up.  dear ol’ mom was nice enough to keep some things on hand for me, including freezer chicken patties (which i can prepare several ways!) and hot dogs.  this is one of my favorite ways to have a hot dog.  recent trips to the dog of nashville have inspired me to revisit some of my favorite ways to eat a dog.

this recipe is for four hot dogs, multiply as needed.

• four hot dog buns, toasted
• 1/2 c pizza sauce
• 4 hot dogs (i prefer koegel’s viennas, serve the curve and the crunch! thanks to mom and dad for delivering to nashville )
• italian seasoning
• 1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 c shredded parmesan cheese

1. pre-heat broiler.
2. in a medium frying pan, cook hot dogs in pizza sauce, stirring sauce constantly.
3. place hot dogs in buns, spooning additional sauce on top.
4. sprinkle with italian seasoning.
5. top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
6. broil until cheese is brown and bubbly. (i used a 9×13″ glass pan lined with foil for easy clean up.)

enjoy!

this is another “food i miss from michigan” post.  mcdonald’s breakfast down here excludes sausage, egg and cheese bagels on its menu.  the only good reason to have mcdonald’s breakfast is to splurge, and i think the bagel is the best way to do it.

this recipe may be slightly healthier than mcdonald’s.  i can tell you that it is pretty darn delicious and is available after 10:30 a.m. .

this recipe prepares two bagels.  you can adjust the recipe accordingly.

• 2 thomas bagel thins, toasted
• 2 slices of co-jack cheese, melted on bagels in toaster oven
• 6 oz. breakfast sausage (half a tube), quartered and formed into very thin patties, slightly larger than the bagel.
• 3 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste

1. cook the breakfast sausage patties until brown all of the way through. place on a paper-towel lined dish.
2. place bagels into the toaster oven, with cheese on one half.
3. whisk together eggs, salt and pepper.  place in medium sized frying pan and cook as if you are cooking an omelette, minus the filling and folding in half.
4. using spatula, cut the “omelette” in half. remove pan from heat.
5. place patty on bottom half of bagel, top with egg, folded into thirds and top bun.

enjoy!

pasta salad from the box is really good for hot summer months when you need something to go with dinner in a pinch.  i decided to kick it up a notch and make it from scratch.  it’s my first pasta salad (other than making mom’s pasta crab salad, which is something that i’ll have to add soon!)

• 1 12 oz. box whole wheat pasta
• 10 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
• 1 c mayo
• 1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 c milk
• 1 pkg. cherry tomatoes
• 1 c shredded cheddar cheese

1. bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta until al dente.  drain and rinse with cool water.
2. in a large bowl, mix mayo, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder and pepper.  stir in milk until smooth.
3. 15 min. before serving, place pasta, bacon, tomato, cheese and coat with dressing. keep chilled until ready to serve.

enjoy!