VEGETARIAN/VEGAN CHILLI HOTDOGS, opt for carnivores

Celebrate longer darker nights with a perky vegetarian lovechild of chilli and hot dogs...

67's Non-meat versions of the popular American Chilli Dog
(the frankfurters taste like the real thing: the dark ones are vegan; the light is vegetarian, containing egg)

Mixing chilli and hotdogs is now a very American thing but in fact might not have been created at all if the British hadn't brought the classic 'banger' across the pond in the 17th/18th centuries.  Later, finer textured frankfutrters arrived courtesy of the Germans.  

The spicy meat sauce poured on top of the franks hailed from Mexico with, later, a Greek twist involving cinnamon and oregano.   

The chilli dog took off when American car culture exploded in the 1950's and '60's.  A whole generation formed long queues at local & highway food stands to buy chilli 'dogs', eaten in their cars carefully and with lots of serviettes. 

Today chilli dogs are found in many regions of the US, each with their own individual spicing. 

In the UK we are still in the grip of plant food and clean eating.  67's non-meat version of Chilli Dogs involves Vegetarian franks* (Tivali: £3 for 10) which taste remarkably like the real thing.  They contain egg.  

Vegan Taifun soya frankfurters, which also have the taste and texture of real franks, are available.  But they cost a shocking £5 for 4 large franks and easily overcook.  

Both versions look great, are as beguilingly messy as the original but are low in cholesterol, fat, salt and preservatives.  And they are lovely to eat, especially as the weather cools. 

The recipe for spicy meat-free chilli, providing plenty of leftovers to freeze was posted recently.  If you have some standing by, this will be a very easy meal.  

If not, make do with tinned chilli  Make a batch as soon as you can, stocking the freezer for times when you need a quick tasty dinner.  

Carnivores looking for a healthier meat version should opt for brand with the lowest fat/sodium (Check the labels); chicken frankfurters may not necessarily be
healthier.

It's best to go for sturdy rolls with this recipe or serve in a bowl with knife and fork!

*Tivali & Taifun Frankfurthers/ Mr Mistry, South End Green 

Cost: min £3.25, more if you need to buy chilli, rolls or make hot dog relish
Makes: 12 small

Ingredients:

    Vegan Chilli

    Home-made or supermarket frankfurter rolls

    mild yellow mustard or Dijon 

    Garnish: grated cheese (plant or dairy) (opt)
                  67's Sugar Free Hot Dog Relish (opt)
   

Method:

1. Defrost chilli overnight; add a couple of tablespoons water; bring to a boil; turn heat down, allow to bubble gently 5 mins; taste; add a little hot sauce or chilli flakes for extra heat if necessary
2. Bring a pan of water to the boil; turn down heat to simmer; drop in frankfurters; leave about 3 mins - you're only reheating not boiling 
3. Meanwhile, heat rolls in a moderate oven
4. Split rolls; remove some of the soft bread from one side to make a depression 
5. Spread other side with mustard; fill depression with 1 or 2 frankfurters; cover with a decent layer of chilli (some like to fill it to overflowing and serve on a plate with a knife & fork!)
6. Sprinkle with cheese and add relish, if using
7. Serve with plenty of serviettes, or 
8. a knife and fork

Comments:
'As a non-meat alternative to the original, these are more than okay. This kind of comfort food is pretty carb-on-carb but that's no bad thing at this time of year.' Retired writer.

Tips:

• for a party, use small finger rolls, halve and serve on a tray with plenty of serviettes
• if serving kids swirl some yoghurt into the chilli 

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This recipe has been adapted by B Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission