If you follow my Facebook page (I feel cool, I just linked 3 things in 2 sentences), you saw the spiral hotdogs a few days ago. I figured I would give that a try this year, but didn't want to stop there.
Got some thick cut bacon precooked in a pan.
While that was going, I added some Patriotic Rub to my crinkle fries and the wifey's sweet potato fries.
She didn't want her boring turkey dogs spiraled, so I just did my Ball Park bun length franks. You know what Michael Jordan says ... "It's just not Summer, till you've had your Ball Park franks."
Ok, back to business. So I took the precooked bacon and wrapped it around by dogs, holding it with some toothpicks (tip, wrap the toothpicks with tin foil so they won't catch on fire). I think did something completely wild and crazy ... I sprinkled the Patriotic Rub on top of the dogs.
(The bacon and seasoning were my wife's idea....because she's amazing.)
(You can probably figure out who wanted that line in here.)
The only way to make this picture more American, is to have the bottle filled with British tears.
Brought the dogs in and added a little cheese to the top. She also added some chili to hers.
I sprinkled some shredded cheddar jack on top of mine and left it alone.
I don't know if it was the spiral, the bacon, the rub, or the cheese that made these amazing ... but these were some of the best hotdogs I've ever made.
America is in trouble. She is divided like never before, and is being torn apart from the inside out. I'm not talking about politics here. I'm talking about the American Dream. The American way of life.
(Potentially the greatest, non-official, patriotic song ever written)
While I watch the news, I see people complaining because they want $15 an hour for an entry level job, they want more government assistance so they can kick back and do nothing, and they blame others for their failures in marriage, work, and every other aspect of life.
While watching the same news, I see interviews with people that move to America with just the clothes on their back. They drive to become American citizens as quickly as possible. They don't look for hand outs. They work their fingers to the bone and put it on themselves to achieve success. They have more pride in America and what she stands for than a lot of people born in America.
What happened to the days where people were proud to wake up every day and go to work and put in an honest days work? What happened to the days where you worked harder if you felt like you were owed more in career and pay? What happened to the days where people were held accountable for their own actions and we didn't allow them to blame others, and we surely didn't help them pass the buck?
America became a nation 237 years ago today thanks to countless men who fought and gave their lives for this nation. They didn't do that for a flag, plot of dirt, or to be "cool" with the ladies. They did it for freedom. They did it for my freedom. This country is now failing, because there are millions that wake up spoiled by freedom every single morning. It doesn't necessarily make them wrong to be spoiled by freedom. After all, I'm sure those that fought to make this country dreamed that one day Americans would wake up and their biggest worry would be what picture to use as their new profile picture.
(I couldn't do a post with music, and not include Elvis)
What scares me the most about the future of America, is that I think too many have gotten complacent and just assume we'll always be free because, to them, we always have been so what's to worry?
America needs help right now. America needs more patriots. Now, I'm not saying everyone needs to run out and join the military. While I will be forever grateful to every man and woman that has sacrificed their time, their youth, and sometimes their lives, that's not the definition of a patriot. A patriot is someone that has passion for their country and is prepared to defend it against all enemies. Again, I'm not saying run out and join a militia against the government (I'm not telling you not to either). A patriot is someone that is willing to sacrifice for their country. That doesn't mean that it has to be in battle. Simply refusing to sit at home and be dependent of others, and instead, going out and getting a job to better yourself, your family, and the economy, is a patriot. When you fail, if you pick yourself up and say, "I'll do better next time", that's being a patriot. Shooting for and achieving the American Dream, is one of the most patriotic things any American could do.
(While we're talking about patriots, how about The Patriot. Not only was his gimmick one of my favorites, he's also a former South Carolina Gamecock football player.)
On this 4th of July, grill your hotdogs and hamburgs, crank up the radio, hang out on the lake, drink a bunch of beers, but make sure you have an American flag flying near by. For the past 239 years, the world has envied the United States of America and what she stands for. We need to do our part to make sure that our generation isn't the one that brings her to her knees. There are MILLIONS of people on this Earth that would give anything to be able to call themselves Americans. I'm PROUD to be an American, and I will do absolutely everything in my power to help keep her free.
(If you're ever able to go to an Atlanta Braves home game, go on a Sunday. Timothy Miller is a member of the Atlanta Opera, and he's worth the price of admission.)
Happy 4th of July everyone, and
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!
(One of the best vocal groups singing the most beautiful song ever at America's past time)
The wifey and I had a few errands to run, and while we were out we decided to catch a movie. It was an early movie, so afterwards we figured we'd try the new pizza place next door.
It was a beautiful day, so we sat at the patio bar that shows up when they raise some giant windows/doors (I don't know which it is, because we haven't been when we haven't sat outside at the bar) ... Yes, since this first trip, we've already been back ... a time or two ... or three ... or four.
I went with my usual ham and bacon, but had to add the Italian sausage that was screaming at me, and she went with her usual ham and onion.
I think we both looked like kids on Christmas morning when they brought the pizza out. You could even smell the amazingness that was about to take place.
As you take your first bite, you immediately taste the fresh ingredients. The sauce is delicious, the cheese is delicious, the toppings are delicious, and the crust made in that brick oven, is some of the best I've ever had. I can only imagine the flavor their brick oven will give off once it's put out a few hundred pizzas.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Greenville has a new pizza place, and it's Grimaldi's.
Nothing starts a great Mother's day off, like not having to cook breakfast first thing in the morning. So, how about a dish that you prepare the night before, instead?
Peel and finely slice seven apples and cook them in a pot for 5 minutes on Medium-High heat. You can decide on how many apples you'd like to use. Seven seems to be the magic number for us. Anything less, and you're mostly eating bread.
While that's cooking, mix 3/4 cups of packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of water. (We like to add a little ginger and nutmeg in too.)
Add the mixture to the apples and continue cooking for 10 more minutes.
While the apples are cooking, slice the bread in one inch slices.
Line the bottom of a 13x9 pan with the apples.
Then layer on the bread pieces.
In a mixing bowl, beat 4 eggs before adding 1 1/4 cups of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
Once that's whisked together, evenly distribute to the top.
Cover and place into the fridge overnight.
The next morning, take the casserole out of the fridge and let sit while you preheat the over to 375. Once the oven is preheated, place the covered casserole into the oven for 35 minutes.
Remove the casserole once it's cooked, and let rest for 5 minutes.
This will make 4-6 servings, so on top of an easy morning and a delicious breakfast, you have leftovers. Can be served alone or with maple syrup.
With my return to BBQ Brethren's throwdowns, it's given me more ideas of food to do. This week's throwdown is "Tubesteak & Sausagefest", and immediately I knew what I was making.
On our honeymoon, one of the restaurants had a pork rib hot dog with pulled pork and cheese on top. In case you've forgotten, or weren't around then (shame on you), lets take a stroll down memory lane to nearly 2 years ago ...
We'll get back to the dog in a minute, but lets start with the sides. Since this is kind of a honeymoon recreation, I let the wifey decide what went with the dogs.
First, I started off by cooking 4 stripes of thick cut bacon while she diced the onions, peppers, and tomato.
Once the bacon was done, we took it out and cooked the onion and pepper in the bacon grease for about 8 minutes (until they weren't crunchy).
Once those were cooked, we added the drained and rinsed beans, chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, and crumbled bacon pieces and let it cook on medium-high for 20 minutes.
While the beans were cooking away, it was time for the star. I got some beer pork bratwursts from Whole Foods (because we wanted to go fancy).
Dawn stopped by the store on the way home and even picked up some fresh bakery hotdog buns.
Rhett isn't the biggest fan of cook time because that means he's not getting any love and attention.
For those that aren't from the South. I'd like to present to you, a Carolina Moon. You know, just cause.
Topped the beer pork brat with some pulled pork with sweet and spicy sauce and finished with sharp Vermont cheddar cheese.
The air conditioning wasn't the same as the open air Jamaican restaurant, and although the dog was delicious, I still haven't been able to master the greatest hotdog in the world. However, one thing is just as good as it was in Jamaica (actually better) ... I had my wife of nearly 2 years right beside me.
The America Loves Bacon Tour stopped by Columbia, SC on March 28th. The Yardcocks (nickname for the South Carolina Gamecocks Baseball team) also had a game that day, so we decided to ride down, check out the festival and then catch the game.
As soon as we pulled into the parking lot you could smell the yummy bacon goodness in the air.
Bacon wrapped shrimp
Chocolate covered bacon, bacon doughnut
Bacon models. Those Carl Jr/Hardees models ain't got nothing on us.
Of course I had to take a picture of the grill.
The greatest thing at the whole festival ... bacon wrapped tater tots.
Bacon/pork sliders and hot dog ...
... with cheese.
It's bacon ... on a steeeeeeeck.
Who doesn't need a bacon cupcake?
The women's bacon eating contest. The chick on the far right won, although the lady in the blue might have actually taken it.
The over to one of the most beautiful sites in the world, Carolina Stadium.
The festival was a little smaller than we were expecting, but we still had a great time. If nothing else, it was great people watching. We couldn't figure out why some vendors accepted the tickets and others expected cash. Usually it's one or the other.
Although my team didn't win, we still had a great day. Hopefully the festival will return to SC next year, because ... well ... I LOVE BACON!!!!!
