Bite Sized Chicago Dogs

Before I began LLB’s “Baseball Week” I had one little boy, very special to my heart, in mind.

My friend Leanne has two of the most adorable and sweetest kids I know and they LOVE baseball!

I mean, hello cuteness!  And look at this little man all geared up for baseball season!

Seriously?  I could just scroll through her Facebook page all day looking at pics of these kids.  They are so cute and just as sweet as they can be!  I am so excited for them to visit San Diego this summer and get to hang on the beach with them!

I wanted to include a recipe dedicated to the Haynes kids because in addition to their love for baseball, unfortunately little Ryder was born with several food allergies including eggs, dairy and peanuts.

So many delicious stadium favorites include cheese or peanuts, so I set out on a mission to make something that would be fun for the kids to eat with no allergies to worry about!

Enter the “Bite Sized Chicago Dogs”!  While the kids may be Texas… or San Diego fans, the verdict is still out on that one  Everyone is a fan of the delicious “Chicago Style Dog”!  Piled high with pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers and more, the Chicago Dog is an American classic!

My thought, why not combine all of the ingredients and place them in little bite sized dairy-free fillo baskets that are perfect for parties or just a fun bite-sized lunch!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp celery salt
• 1/4 cup sweet onion (chopped)
• 1/4 cup sliced peperoncinis
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
• 2 small tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/4 cup cucumber (chopped)
• 2 grilled hot dogs (diced)
• 15 fillo factory fillo baskets
• 1/4 cup sliced pickles

Begin by whisking together the vinegar, mustard, pepper, salt and celery salt.

Next, add the onions, peperoncinis and relish.

Finally add in the tomatoes, cucumbers and grilled hot dogs.

Mix everything together, then place in the fillo baskets. Top each basket with a sliced pickle and serve!

Such a fun and yummy treat during baseball season or any time of the year!

And a great dairy-free, peanut-free baseball stadium alternative!

♣ Vegetarian Option: Substitute veggie hot dogs to make this recipe vegetarian.

♦ Gluten Free Option:  Instead of fillo baskets, use Tostitos Scoops which are gluten-free.

♥ All pottery seen on the littleleopardbook can be purchased by visiting www.longaberger.com/muffetbond or e-mailing keepsakebl@sbcglobal.net.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

These little “parties on a stick” first came into my world at Cafe Sevilla in San Diego.  I became beyond obsessed with them and started making them for every party, event, Monday, you know, whatever!

The kicker with these is, my Mom loves them!  When the certified pickiest eater in the world likes something, you know it’s good!  I’ve started making them every time I go home for a family event. They are quick, easy and make a great appetizer or party dish!

Ingredients (makes 20 dates)

• 20 dates
• 10 slices bacon
• 4 oz blue cheese

Begin by slicing half way through the dates and removing the pits. Next add the blue cheese.

Slice the bacon in half then wrap a 1/2 slice around the date.

Next, slide a toothpick through to secure the bacon.

Repeat 19 times.

Place into a 375° oven for 20 minutes, turn dates over then continue to cook 10-15 more minutes or until bacon is crispy.

Depending on the event (and how many new recipes I’m trying to conquer that day!) when I have time I add an Apple Cider glaze on top.

Apple Cider Glaze Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter (apple butter preferred)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp apple cider
• 2 tbsp half and half
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 sprig fresh thyme

Start by melting the butter in a small saucepan, next combine the additional ingredients and whisk well.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring consistently. Remove from the heat and let stand 3 minutes.

Use a pastry brush to glaze the dates 3-5 minutes before removing them from the oven.

♣ Vegetarian Option: Replace the Bacon with Vegetarian Smart Bacon.

♦ Gluten Free Option: This Recipe is Gluten-Free.

♥ All pottery seen on the littleleopardbook can be purchased by visiting www.longaberger.com/muffetbond or e-mailing keepsakebl@sbcglobal.net.