RESEARCHERS are not one when it comes to the time dogs were first domesticated by man. Some researchers say man domesticated wolves more than 15,000 years ago. These domesticated wolves became the “grandpup” of modern dogs. Another research says wolves first became man’s best friend 12,500 years ago.
The exact time might not matter to dog lovers. What matters is that dogs never fail to give back to man their loyalty, love and care. Since 2018 is the Year of the Dog, we might as well celebrate the new icon for 2018 with delicious ways of cooking with hotdogs.
People usually serve hotdogs on a bun. The bun is toasted on both sides and spread with mayonnaise, ketchup and sometimes with a thin ribbon of mustard. However, there are other ways of glamorizing hotdogs in dishes to make them special. Here are some ways:
1) Beat eggs and pour a thin layer on a non-stick pan to make thin omelets, set aside. Pan-fry good quality hotdogs, and slice lengthwise into four parts.
Place one slice of hotdog on omelette, add thinly sliced cucumber, grated cheese and ketchup. Roll omelette and grill in an oven toaster for 30 seconds, just to melt the cheese. Serve with toasted bread.
2) Alternately thread cheese ball hotdogs with bell pepper, semi-ripe mango, mushroom, green apple and pineapple. Grill the hotdog kebab until done.
You may also just pan-fry hotdog balls and thread them through a skewer. Serve on a bed of green salad.
3) Choose good-quality hotdog to add to this stew. Saute garlic and onion in olive oil. Add sliced bell peppers, then cubed lean pork. Cook until meat loses its pink color. Add sliced hotdog, then pour in meat stock.
Cook until meat is tender, adding more stock as needed. When meat is tender, add a cup of tomato sauce, sliced carrots, green peas and cubed potatoes. Adjust taste and thicken with slurry mixed with a tablespoon of oyster sauce.
4) Upgrade the ordinary hotdog-on-a-bun sandwich with a DIY dog. Top grill or fry hotdog with any or all of the following: chili con carne, grated cheese, caramelized onions, chopped ham, shredded lettuce, pickle relish, ketchup, garlic mayo, plain mayo, bacon bits, mustard, drained cucumber strips, sauteed bell peppers and mushrooms.
Call it the Dog Overload in the Year of the Dog. It’s so “bowwow” good and “arffully” great.