The Fourth Of July is an American holiday somewhere between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It is a time when Americans celebrate their unique heritage and eating hot dogs are as traditional as apple pie. During the eighteen-sixties, hots dogs were sold from pushcarts by German immigrants in the Bowery section of New York City along with sauerkraut and milk rolls. They were originally made from pork products. Nowdays, they are also made with turkey and beef or all beef making them a much healthier food choice. The bun has always been an important part of what makes a hot dog so special. For the carb and the cholesterol concious, sugar-free whole wheat buns are substituted.

The hot dog meal begins with a chili and cheese combination that includes: dill relish, prepared mustard and some chopped onion.

Chili Cheese Hot Dog

1-turkey and beef or an all-beef hot dog, pre-cooked
2-heaping Tlbs. commerically prepared brick chili, pre-heated
1-hot dog bun, toasted in a skillet
1-tsp. prepared mustard
1-tsp. dill relish
1/2-cup chopped onion
1/2-cup shredded cheese

Directions: Open the hot dog bun and butter it. Heat a skillet and toast the bun. Place the cooked hot dog inside it and top with the pre-heated chili and the cheese. Place under a broiler heated to 350 degrees and cook for five minutes. Remove and add the mustard, the relish and the chopped onion. Serve with french fries and cole slaw.

Easy Cole Slaw
(Serves 4)

1-package cole slaw, chopped>br> 1/2-cup shredded carrots
1/2-cup onion, chopped
1/2-cup bell pepper, chopped
Salt & pepper
1-Tlb. olive oil
1-tsp. rice wine vinegar

Directions: Combine the vegetables. In a separate bowl: Wisk the olive oil and the rice wine vinegar. Season with the salt and the pepper. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and toss until the ingredients are well combined.

Hot Dogs And Sauerkraut

1-hot dog, pre-cooked
1-hot dog bun
1-slice onion, cut into half
Sauerkraut, pre-cooked
Sweet hot mustard

Directions: On an un-heated bun add the mustard evenly and put the cooked hot dog into it. Add the sauerkraut, the mustard and the onion slice. Serve with some corn chips and baked beans.

Baked Beans
(Serves 4)

2-cans prepared baked beans
1-heaping Tlb. brown sugar
1-heaping Tlb. mustard
3/4-cup ketchup
1-tsp molasses
Salt & pepper

Directions: Combine the ingredients and season with the salt and the pepper. Line a medium baking dish with foil. Pour the ingredients into the baking dish and bake in a 350 degree oven until they are done.

Sometimes, hot dogs are really delicious when they are cooked in a skillet and then put inside a cold hot dog bun with only some mustard for added flavor.

The hot dog meal ends with a favorite flavor of ice cream scopped into an individual bowl or dipped onto the top of an ice cream cone.