Today is National Hot Dog Day!

Let’s rejoice!

For funsies, our friends at the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council have created a rather serious hot dog etiquette guide. So let’s talk about some hot dog dos and don’ts on this very special day.

DO…

Eat a hot dog in a bun with your hands. This is a hands-only meal.

DON’T…

Put condiments between the dog and the bun — they should always go directly on the hot dog.

DO…

Use paper plates when serving hot dogs. Fine china? Uh, no.

DON’T…

Put ketchup on your dog after the age of 18. This is a hard and fast rule.

Want more hot dog etiquette? Check out this page and study up for your next cookout!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

One of my favorite seafood meals is a beautiful salmon plank.

But grilling seafood can be tricky. Overcooked salmon planks are simply yucky.

Want to grill it?

1. Season it first (if it’s not already done for you).
2. Then wrap planks in foil, skin-side down.
3. Place on grill until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F using a thermometer.

Yes, undercooked salmon is yucky, too! 🙂

You can also use a special seafood basket on your grill made especially for delicate meat. For me, the clean-up process is so much easier with foil and the meat seems to cook more thoroughly when wrapped.

But you decide!

And, hey, either way, you get to eat salmon when you’re done. Score!

Check out more seafood cooking tips here. Have fun exploring the world of seafood!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Are you barbecuing? It’s time!

Here are some top meal ideas and recipes for your barbecue – pick some and have a go!

ENTREES

I absolutely LOVE a good brisket. That smoky flavor makes me so happy. And ribs are a great go-to entree as well. Ever tried burnt ends? They’re boneless and not messy. Delicious! Try beef or pork.

SIDE DISHES

What goes with everything? Twice-baked potatoes! Cheesy, bacony goodness. Another great option my family loves is green beans in mushroom cream sauce. Delish!

BBQ SAUCES

You could buy those store-bought sauces but why not try something fresh? A little extra effort makes it taste that much better. Here are some awesome sauce recipes – give ’em a whirl!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.