"Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don't win it's a shame. For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, At the old ball game."
Everybody knows the words to Take Me Out To The Ball Game, but I would argue that hot dogs are more synonymous with baseball than peanuts or cracker jacks. Gone are the days of taking in a game and enjoying a normal hot dog with simple condiments like ketchup, mustard and relish. Now, say hello to the days of 18-inch corn dogs, bacon wrapped hot dogs, ice cream churro dogs and everything in between.
As the 2015 MLB season is upon us, we decided to take a look at some of the more interesting hot dogs or hot dog-like creations that will be served at a ballpark near you this coming season.
Texas Rangers - Globe Life Park
The saying goes everything is bigger in Texas, right? The Rangers are far and away the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to stadium dogs. From the two-foot-long, one-pound dog known as The Boomstick to the Footlong Chicago Dog to the bacon-wrapped dog to the Texas Taco dog, Globe Life park is your one stop shop for all of your hot dog loving needs.
Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field
The Rangers might have the volume, but the Diamondbacks clearly take the cake (or bun) for the 2015 season. Not only does the D-Bat Return this year, which is only 18-inches of corn dog heaven, but they have added the Churro Dog for dessert. Thats right a churro dog which is what else? A churro topped with ice cream between a glazed donut split in half.
Milwaukee Brewers - Miller Park
The Beast, served at Miller Park in Milwaukee, has a hot dog/brat/bacon all wrapped into one, served on a pretzel roll and topped with onions and peppers. If that is not enough for you, the Brewers will be unveiling the “Down Wisconsin Avenue” brat in May which consists of an 18 inch brat served on fresh baked bread with gravy, cheese curds, french fries, cheese sauce, fried sauerkraut, fried Jalapenos, sour cream and chives.
Baltimore Orioles - Camden Yards
Everybody knows that Maryland is all about the seafood, especially crabs, so why not have a hot dog topped with crabs, right? How about a hot dog with Mac N’ Cheese and crabs to be exact? And for good measure and a side to go with it you can throw in some crab waffle fries.
Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ball Park
If you are familiar with Cincinnati at all, you how popular the Skyline Chili chain is, so of course the Great American Ball Park knows what they are doing by serving the popular Skyline Chili Coney.
Detroit Tigers - Comerica Park
The Poutine Dog - Hot Dog with french fries, cheese curds and gravy.
Minnesota Twins - Target Field
The Brat Dog - Self explanatory as you can see in the picture below from last year’s All-Star game is a hot dog wrapped in a brat, topped with sauerkraut, peppers and onions.
San Diego Padres - Petco Park
The Padres are serving up the Carne Asada Dog this year at Petco Park. Its a 1/2 lb. hot dog on a jalapeno cheddar roll topped with carne asada, Diego queso (spicy cheese Sauce) and pico de gallo. Sounds like a good 7th inning stretch snack to me.
Wilmington Blue Rocks - Frawley Stadium
Originally, this was a Major League stadium idea only, but when the Wilmington Blue Rocks released this heaven in a bun - the Krispy Kreme doughnut dog complete with a contest to name it (It is named "Sweet and Salty"), I knew it had to make the cut.
If you can’t make it to a game this year or live in a non baseball town, have no fear, we have consulted with our resident chef, Richard Ingram (Instagram: @chefrli), and decided to come up with our own versions of these new wave hot dogs to get you set for the 2015 Major League Baseball season that you can try in the comforts of your own home. Play Ball!
Recipe #1 - BBQ Bacon Dog
Ingredients
4 slices applewood smoked bacon
4 hot dogs
4 hot dog buns
1/4 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
2 green onions sliced
1/4 cup Extra sharp cheddar (shredded)
1/4 cup asiago shredded
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. Wrap each hot dog in bacon, pinning the ends of each strip to the hot dog with a toothpick.
3. Place the hot dogs in a skillet and bake until the side of the hot dog in contact with the pan has crisped up slightly.
4. Flip the hot dogs onto their other side, and cook for 10-15 minutes longer, or until the bacon is crisp all over.
5. Place the hot dogs in the bun, top with barbecue sauce, cheese,and green onions.
6. Place loaded hot dog back into the 350 degree oven and toast until cheese has melted
7. Remove from the oven and serve
Recipe #2 - Sausage Dog
Ingredients
• 4 crusty long rolls
• 4 hot smoked sausages
• 1 tablespoon Grapeseed oil
• 2 red peppers sliced
• 2 green peppers sliced
• 2 medium red onions sliced
• 3 cloves garlic sliced
• 1 cup smoked Gouda
• 1/4 cup Italian dressing
• Olive oil
Method
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. In a medium sauté pan, sauté peppers, onions, and garlic in Grapeseed oil over medium highheat, until they are soft and the onions turn golden brown.
3. Add dressing, reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and reserve.
5. Grill or pan fry the sausages until they are cooked through.
6. Slice the buns and grill lightly once the sausages are ready (the buns can be lightly browned in either a toaster or a hot lightly buttered pan.)
7. Place in each bun a sausage, a good amount of the pepper-onion mixture, and finish with the cheese.
8. Place sausage sandwich in a preheated oven until the cheese has melted.
9. Remove and serve hot
Recipe #3 - Asian Slaw Dog
Ingredients
• 2 cups shredded Napa cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 4 scallions, sliced
• 2 Tbsp. ponzu sauce
• 2 Tbsp. peanut oil
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 1 tsp. fresh grated ginger
• 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
• 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, divided
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 2-4 tsp. red curry paste
• 4 hot dogs
• 4 hot dog buns
• Sesame seeds
• Cilantro
Method
1. In a medium bowl toss together cabbage, carrots and scallions. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together ponzu, peanut oil, sesame oil, ginger, vinegar, hoisin
sauce, Sirracha, and 2 tbsp. of the fresh limejuice until well combined. Pour mixture over cabbage and toss well to combine.
3. Stir together mayo, curry paste and lime juice until well mixed. Taste and add more curry paste to achieve desired flavor level.
4. Cook hot dogs as directed on package.
5. To assemble: Place 1 hot dog in each bun; top each one with Asian slaw and drizzle with curry mayo.
**Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro if desired.
