I was watching the Food Network recently….ok, so I’m always watching the Food Network and saw a grilling episode where Susie Bulloch was making burnt end hot dogs( https://heygrillhey.com/hot-dog-burnt-ends/#wprm-recipe-container-4713). They look really tasty don’t they? I started thinking, what if I did something similar to that, but in the oven and made the BBQ sauce a bit more interesting, like adding some bourbon. But why stop there, why not have it over some mac and cheese? Yes, please. After I played around with the recipe a bit and announced to hubby what I would be making for dinner, he did pause for a minute, but being the one who is always willing to try my newest food creations….good or bad (and a few in the past have been not so good) he thought that I should make it. It did not disappoint. The hot dogs had a nice bbq flavor with a subtle kick with the bourbon and chipotle powder. It paired really well with the creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. Did I mention that the mac and cheese is all done in one pot? That makes it even better.
Here’s what you need:
For the BBQ Bourbon Hot Dogs:
For The Rub:
*2 pkgs of hot dogs; I used all beef; cut into bite size pieces
*1 TBS mustard
*1 TBS BBQ rub; I like Penzey’s BBQ of the Americas https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/barbecue-of-the-americas/c-24/p-498/pd-s
For The BBQ Bourbon Sauce:
*1 C. your favorite BBQ sauce
*1/4 C. Bourbon
*1/4 tsp. Chipotle powder, or more to taste
*1/2 tsp. onion powder, or more to taste
*1/2 tsp. garlic powder; or more to taste
*2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
Preheat oven to 225°
In a large bowl add hot dog pieces; add ingredients to the rub to the hot dogs and toss to coat.
Spray a baking pan with no stick spray and pour the hot dogs into the pan. Spread evenly in one layer.
Cook for 1 hour. Mix together all of the ingredients to the BBQ sauce; set aside.
After 1 hour, pour the BBQ sauce over the hot dogs and mix until they are all coated in the sauce.
Raise the oven temperature to 375°
cook for about 20 minutes more.
Stir once more after they come out of the oven.
Just try not to eat them all before you get the mac and cheese made.
I made the mac and cheese while the hot dogs were in the oven after coated with the BBQ sauce.
For the mac and Cheese
*3 1/2 TBS butter
*3 TBS flour
*2 C. milk
*2 1/2 C. water
*1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
*1/2 tsp onion powder (optional)
*1 tsp. salt or more to taste
*white pepper to taste
*2 1/2 C. elbow macaroni
*1 C. Cheddar cheese
*1 C. Colby Jack cheese
Heat a medium pot to medium high heat; add butter. When the butter melts, add in the flour and stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute while stirring. Pour in 3/4 C. of the milk and stir until smooth and it starts to thicken.
add in remaining milk, water and seasonings; stir to combine.
Add macaroni and stir.
When the milk starts to steam, turn the heat down to medium low. Simmer for about 10 minutes or until macaroni is al dente and sauce has thickened; stirring often.
Take off of the heat and stir in the cheeses until melted.
Place a serving of mac and cheese on a plate and top with the BBQ Bourbon Hot Dogs.
A Foodie In The South 