EASY HOMEMADE HOT DOG RELISH, Low-sugar, low-preservtive, Make ahead

Relax with this colourful, zippy hot dog relish knowing it's low in sugar & preservatives

A hot dog picnic with Homemade Relish
Photo shows Tivali veggie dogs in Light wholemeal Spelt rolls. 

Brits have taken to the good ol' American hot dog with a vengeance.  It's become a picnic favourite and the English have developed various strategies for enhancing the experience. They: 

• poach the dogs in wide-mouthed thermoses of hot water to serve warm at the picnic site OR
• wrap the frankfurters in buns and then in individual foil packets before placing them on the cooling car engine (But make sure someone watches them while you're setting up the picnic site!)
• if lucky enough to have a campfire, load a young branch with the dogs and grill over the flames (it's probably best to have jumbo dogs for this)
• fill separate squeezy bottles (available at Nisbetts & some department stores) with mustard and ketchup, covered in cling film under the the lid to prevent spills during travelling 
• experiment with hot dog relishes; green or red, anyone?

Traditionally, hot dogs are served with a strip of mustard, a strip of ketchup, maybe some onions fried in butter, but definitely relish.  There has to be relish.  Many varieties of relish are available at various prices but most are high in sugar and additives.  

67goingon50's relish is a healthy treat -- tasty, crunchy and zippily flavoured and low in sugar and preservatives. The recipe does use processed sweet & sour pickles but not in huge quantities. If homemade pickles are preferred, recipes are readily available on the internet.   

The relish is easy-peasy; an older child with good knife skills can put it together. (Always have a first aid kit in the kitchen!)

Easy Homemade Hot Dog Relish 

On it's own, the relish is a sophisticated condiment for adults. For kids being weaned off high levels of sugar, it's ok to add half a tablespoon of maple syrup. The chillis could also be reduced.  The recipe makes 1 1/2 cups; preparing two batches won't be a burden.   
Any leftovers can be teamed with chicken or cheese with a little yoghurt-mayo for a great sandwich filling.

The relish can be made in advance and keeps 3-5 days in the fridge.   

Cost: £1.50
Enough for 4-6 dogs

Ingred:
   5 cherry tomatoes or equiv, in small dice
   3/4 tsp tomato puree, preferably low-salt
   a small red chilli, de-seeded and topped & tailed, in fine dice OR 1/2 tsp chilli flakes  
   1/2 cup bell pepper, pref green or yellow, in small dice
   1/3 cup dill pickle (about 2 medium)
   1/3 cup drained corn niblets
   1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly; add cracked black pepper to taste 
2. Store in a wide-mouthed air-tight container in the fridge 

Tips:

• If you're looking for lower-fat conventional hot dogs, Herta and some Middle Eastern producers offer chicken frankfurters  
• Hot dog buns or finger rolls are sold at most supermarkets at good prices
• The blogger used Mrs Elswood's Sweet Sour Cucumbers, 670 gms for under £2.  The cucumber spears make great sides to the dogs

(Questions & comments, pls email  b67goingon50@yahoo.co.uk 

and say if they can be included in the blog)

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This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and can not be reproduced without the author's written permission.