Chili Cheese Dog Poppers Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Slice each hot dog on the diagonal. You should get 10 slices from each hot dog. Cook hot dog slices in a medium saucepan on medium high heat for 10-12 minutes or untilslices start to brown. Stir every 2-3 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, heat chili in a medium size microwave bowl, covered, on medium high heat, for 1 minute, stirring halfway thru. If not hot enough, heat on high, in 10 second increments, until heated through.
• 3. To assemble: Place 32 crackers on a microwave safe platter. "Squeeze" a layer of cheese on each cracker. Top each with a hot dog slice, using only the flat slices, not the rounded end pieces. Press down lightly to "anchor" hot dogs into cheese layer. With a teaspoon, carefully spoon about 1 teaspoon of chili over each hot dog slice. Garncih with a dab of mustard and sprinkle with diced onion.
• 4. Place platter in microwave and heat on medium heat for 30-60 seconds or just enough th heat through.
• 5. Verving size is two "poppers", so repeat above directions with another 32 crackers.

Steps:

• For the chili: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the beef and garlic and cook, stirring and breaking up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until the meat is brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, cayenne, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, until well combined, about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and 1/2 cup water to the pot. Stir well and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• For the chili dogs: Preheat a grill or large grill pan to medium. Grill the hot dogs according to the package directions until grill marks appear and the hot dogs are warmed through, about 5 minutes. Working in batches, if necessary, grill the cut side of the buns until golden and toasted, about 1 minute. Build the hot dogs and top each with about 1/4 cup of chili spooned down the length of the hot dog. Sprinkle each with some cheese and serve with ketchup and mustard.

Steps:

• To make the chili: Heat a skillet over medium flame and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil gets hazy, add the onion and cook, stirring, until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, and cook until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the ketchup, chili powder, and mustard; simmer for 15 minutes until thick; season with salt and pepper.
• For the hot dogs: While the chili is cooking: place a large grill pan on 2 burners over medium-high heat or preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the hot dogs from sticking. Parboil the dogs first before grilling: bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the hot dogs for about 5 minutes. Remove from the water and grill the hot dogs just long enough to give them grill marks. Brush the insides of the rolls with the remaining oil and place them face down on the grill until toasty. To serve, top each hot dog with the chili and some Cheddar cheese.