A World Series Dinner

For the last several years, my family (the three of us) have watched the World Series on television. We sit around and root for the underdog, unless the Yankees are in. (Even then, some would say we would still be rooting for the underdog.) Well, I only make this meal once per year, and this year we are mixing it up a little bit more. Here is the menu:

• Hot Dogs with Tyler Florence's "Hot Dog Chili"
• Honey Jalapeno Wings
• Lesley's Creamy Coleslaw (see previous post)
• Cracker Jacks (during the 7th inning stretch)

No. It is not the healthiest dinner I have ever put together. Then again, we only eat like this once a year. Here are the recipes for the Hot Dog Chili and the Honey Jalapeno Wings.

Tyler Florence's Hot Dog Chili
www.foodnetwork.com

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium jar ketchup, about 2 1/2 cups
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put a skillet over medium heat and drizzle in a 2-count of olive oil. When the oil gets hazy, add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until it is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, and cook until nicely browned, about 10 more minutes. Stir in the ketchup, chili powder, and mustard and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

Devil Dawn's Honey Jalapeno Wings
AOL food - Dawn M a long-time Charger fan in San Diego

I cut this recipe down to one quarter the original for our small group. The recipe below makes 15 wings.

7 jalapenos
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/1 cups water
1 1/4 cups honey
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon orange juice
3/4 cup yellow mustard
15 chicken wings

Before the Game: Roast (or boil) the jalapenos until tender, then blend with all ingredients, except chicken of course, in a blender or food processor. (You can seed the jalapenos to get the flavor, but not as much of the heat if you desire.) Marinate the chicken for at least one hour, the longer the better, in most of the sauce, saving some sauce for brushing during grilling.

At the Game: Grill until done. Dawn says she doesn't know how long since the men won't let her near the grill anymore, but when they look done, that's when you're supposed to take them off the grill (apparently).

Even better, Dawn usually starts the day before, marinate several hours, and then bake right in the marinade for 25 minutes, brushing with saved marinade, just to get that great, caramelized finish.