Chili Dogs On Toasted Buns

I’m not a huge fan of hot dogs, but every now and then I do get a craving for them. Especially since I still had some slow cooked chili leftover in the fridge.
These took very little time to make, and I served them with Hassleback baked potatoes.
I like to cut slits lengthwise on four sides of the hot dogs. That way, when they cook, they will open up along these cuts and crisp up even more. Although I used the oven to bake the hot dogs and toast the bread, the grill would work just as well.

Ingredients:
4 hot dog buns
4 beef or turkey hot dogs
1 cup slow cooked chili
2 tbs chopped cilantro (optional)
2 tbs diced white onions
1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
mustard
ketchup

Preparation:

Cut a slit along the edge of the hot dogs; do this on 4 sides. If you’re using an oven, bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes. Once the the hot dogs start to brown and crisp up, they’e ready.
Toast your buns for about 2 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees F. (Toast these just before you’re ready to serve them, while the oven is still hot from baking the hot dogs.)
Spread your favorite condiments on the bread — mustard, ketchup and/or mayonnaise. Add your baked hot dog with the largest opening side facing up, and spoon chili on it. Add shredded cheese on top and return to the oven for about 3 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Garnish with onions and cilantro, or fresh homemade salsa.

Prepared on 2011-05-15 (Tulsa, OK), Photographs by Michael Findley