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Welcome to the first official week of Get Grillin’ the virtual BBQ party I am hosting with Dara from Cookin’ Canuck. We start off this 6 week adventure with grilled appetizers. Not only are we gonna share recipes with you, we can’t wait to see what you have for us! When I was concepting my recipe I could not get hot dogs off my mind. What is it about salty, smoky meat (or meatless if you prefer) that sizzles and pops when you cook it? Not sure, but it thrills this gal and most kids for that matter.
Remember our awesome line-up of sponsors for this event? This week we are pleased to share Rouxbe with you. If you ever thought about going to cooking school here is your chance. We have a one year ($240 value!) Rouxbe membership for a lucky Get Grillin’ participant. This will give you full access to their wonderful cooking school. More on this below.
Perhaps my love of hotdogs makes me sound a bit pedestrian, but boy do I love this grilled summer classic. The great news is these days you can find high quality, gourmet organic hot dogs in practically every grocery store. From organic beef, to turkey, chicken, pork and even vegan ones. You can find ones that suit your preference, budget and taste buds.
These skewers are also a great option for those on a gluten free diet. I found blue corn tortillas at Trader Joe’s. They add nice color and presentation when mixed with the yellow corn ones.
I am not one for big doughy buns (I know most people love that part. I prefer more dog to bread ratio.) The lightness of the tortillas work out perfectly. These are sort of like deconstructed, healthy pigs in blankets. That was  an appetizer I indulged in at every Sweet Sixteen, Bar and Bat Mitzvah I attended as a kid.
The avocado-cilantro dip adds a bit of an adult twist to these skewers. At first glance you might think guacamole, but the sour cream whipped into it makes it a bit smoother and lighter in texture. Guacamole is technically a dip anyway, so call it what you wish. All is good.
Giveaway Details
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for all of your entries. Congrats to Heather’s Dish for taking home the win!
Rouxbe Online Video Cooking School is giving away a one-year membership (value $240 USD) to their online cooking school. The quality of Rouxbe’s content is absolutely unparalleled. What does the membership include? There are 70+ online video cooking lessons, hundreds of instructional video recipes, 1000+ close-up, step-by-step videos and personalized feedback from Rouxbe chefs. Really, it can’t be beat.
This giveaway is open to anyone (that’s right – this one’s going international) and will be open until Sunday, June 12 at 5pm PST.
The winner will be chosen at Random.org and will be notified via email, so please make sure your email address is correct. You will have 48 hours to respond to me, or a new winner will be chosen.
This week’s theme is appetizers. Remember, your recipes do not have to be made on the grill. Any backyard barbecue-appropriate recipe will do.
How to Enter
1) You can enter up to three (3) recipes in each week of Get Grillin’
If you don’t have a blog, that’s okay. Just leave your recipe in the comments section of our themed post during any day of the themed week. Just do so on either Dara’s or my blog, not both.
2) For a chance to win the Rouxbe membership, enter your recipe(s) using the recipe link widget found below. Add your link to your grilling post to the widget on either MarlaMeridith.com or Cookin’ Canuck. You only need to add it on one site, but it will show up on both.If you don’t have a blog, then enter your recipe in the comments section. Read below for instructions on earning extra entries.
3) Somewhere in your post, please include the following “Get Grillin’ with MarlaMeridith.com and Cookin’ Canuck, sponsored by Ile de France Cheese, Rösle, Emile Henry, Rouxbe and ManPans.” This must be included for a chance to win the prize of the week.
To earn additional entries (you can only do so if you have entered a recipe), leave a separate comment for each of the steps listed below. If you don’t leave separate comments for each step, the number generator will not count them as separate entries.
- Follow Rouxbe on Twitter and re-tweet the giveaway, being sure to include my Twitter handle (@MarlaMeridith). Here’s a sample tweet you could use:Â #GetGrillin w/@MarlaMeridith & @cookincanuck. Share appetizer recipes for a chance to win a 1 year membership to @ROUXBE http://su.pr/2uZQxt
- Follow @MarlaMeridith on Twitter
- Follow @CookinCanuck on Twitter
- Copy and paste our Get Grillin’ Badge into your sidebar or blog post.
*You can stay in touch with Rouxbe on Facebook too.
Add ANY Appetizer Links Here
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Grilled Hotdog Skewers with Creamy Avocado Dip
Makes as many as you like. Assume about 3 skewers per person. One hotdog will make about 3 skewers.
NOTES:
- In this post I used a combination of Chicken and Beef hot dogs. The two colors make the presentation a bit more interesting.
INGREDIENTS
For Skewers
- 1 package Hot Dogs of your choice (I like nitrate free, organic Applegate Farms hot dogs)
- 1 or more Avocados, diced  and toss with some fresh lemon juice so they do not turn brown
- Fresh Lemon Juice (to drizzle over avocado)
- Blue and/or Yellow Corn Tortillas, trim into small squares
Avocado Cilantro Dip
Makes about 1 cup of dip
- 1/2 cup fat free Sour Cream or Thick Greek Yogurt
- juice from 1 Lemon
- 1 Avocado (average Haas size is good – about 6-8 ounces)
- 1/2 cup fresh Cilantro leaves, stems removed
- 1 tablespoon Capers
- pinch of Black Pepper
- pinch of Garlic Salt
- pinch of Smoked Paprika
- Optional: If you love garlic you can add a clove, extra Cilantro leaves
*You will also need some small 6 inch skewers.
METHOD
Skewers: Grill your hot dogs according to package directions. Let them cool a bit and cut into chunky pieces. Alternate pieces of hot dogs, avocado and corn tortilla squares. Slide on some cilantro leaves too as a garnish.
Avocado Cilantro Dip: Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Season to taste with additional garlic salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
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Hot Dog Recipe Links
- Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs by Brooke McClay for Babble
- Kimchee Hot Dogs Week of Menus
- Pretzel Dogs Fake Ginger and Smells Like Home
- Jalapeno Cheddar Pigs in Blankets Evil Shenanigans
- Toppings for Hot Dogs Trader Joe’s
Avocado Dip Recipe Links
- Avocado Aioli Dressing Naturally Knocked Up
- Avocado Chili Sauce and Dip Patio Daddio BBQ
- Cinco de Mayo Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing FOODjmoto
- Taco Baked Potato Chips with Creamy Avocado Dip by Brooke McClay for Babble
- Tomatillo Avocado Dip What’s Gaby Cooking
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Just wanted to pop in and say hi and what a great give away…and that avocado dip looks…delish!!
And your lil man is tooo adorable 🙂
Mmmm so tasty! The dip is so mouthwatering!
nice skewers and great dip! Perfect summer food.
Cheers,
Rosa
I am LOVING that dip Marla!
So cute! Isn’t everything better on a stick hehe.
I love hot dogs too!! Most of the hot dogs I’ve had have been the really basic ones though- a simple hot dog bun, a cheap frankfurt and lots and lots of tomato sauce 😉 Your hot dog skewers are so cute and pretty! And they look delicious, especially with the dip!
Von, my avocado dip certainly takes the average dog and elevates its status 😉 I think kids and adults love to dip no matter what!
Great event! Love it! Just submitted my Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Flowers as an appetizer for you all 🙂 You’ll enjoy them, I promise!
Aggie, your stuffed zucchini blossoms look amazing! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Just followed Rouxbe and Tweeted about event!
I am loving that avocado dip!
Happy summer, Marla! I just submitted my recipe for Grilled Eggplant-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese.
Cara, thanks so much for submitting your wonderful appetizer recipe 🙂 I must make these dates for my next summer party….or just for me. Thanks for attaching our logo too.
How adorable is this?! My boys would go bonkers for these skewers! Love the photos too 🙂 Talk soon!
First visit to your site, and I think it’s great! I’ll definitely be trying your homemade mayo. Thanks for commenting on my blog! I’ve added yours to my Google Reader and look forward to reading your future posts!
I’m happy to join in. So jun to get great ideas for summer grilling. I tweeted your event http://twitter.com/#!/BarbaraBakes/status/77741196490981377
I Follow @MarlaMeridith on Twitter
Follow @CookinCanuck on Twitter
#GetGrillin w/@MarlaMeridith & @cookincanuck. Share appetizer recipes for a chance to win a 1 year membership to @ROUXBE http://su.pr/2uZQxt
Oh my, I used to LOVE pigs in a blanket when I was a kid. I have to recreate a gluten free version, I must! These skewers look delicious 🙂
Leanne, wrapping those hot dogs in corn tortillas gives an “almost” pigs in a blanket fix. At least my waistline can be convinced of that 😉
never in a million years would I have thought to build skewers of hot dogs, avocado, and tortilla chips — what an unusual combo — and the dipping sauce sounds wonderful!
Thanks for a fabulous event – can’t wait to see the entries every week!
I love this event you both are doing. And I’m seriously into that avocado dip. My grandma always adds silken tofu to dips… I wonder how that would taste with the avocado? I’m gonna try it!
This looks delicious!
Love the deconstructed pigs in blankets, and the avocado dip is my kinda recipe. Perfect for summer. Light and delicious. Best of luck with the grilling event. I’ll try to chime in when I get my head above water!
Liz, thanks for stopping by. I am so happy that we can now make the bridge between our virtual world and real life. Loved finally meeting you in person at BlogHer Food.
My avocado dip would totally be your kind of thing….it is light, healthy & delicious!
These skewers look fantastic! They will definitely be present at my next bbq!
Love the idea of serving hot dogs on skewers, Marla! Hot dogs are a summer fav of mine too (mmm, love them with sauerkraut!). That avocado dip is a brilliant idea, it definitely takes a regular dog and makes it something special!
That’s want I am all about girl, taking the normal/regular and elevating it to higher standards. I bet your homemade sauerkraut is awesome!
That avocado dip sounds amazing! I never would have thought to pair it with hot dogs but what a great idea! And the skewers make such a fun presentation:-)
i’ve never had this before, but it looks good! hot dog on a skewer is a great idea, too. 😀 will have to try this during a summer bbq or something. thanks for sharing!
Angie, I had never had this before either. I just kinda went with it. Very pleased with the results! I hope you get to try, let me know if you do 🙂
Two of my own little man’s favs…hot dogs and avacado! He’s gonna love this! Thanks 🙂
Sherry, glad I could offer up two of your little guys favorites all on one happy skewer!
How delicious looking is THAT!? Loving all the grilling this summer!
I love how you decontructed these into a fun app! Never would have thought to use a tortilla with the dogs.
Heather, the idea kinda crept up on me. Sometimes I am not sure how I think of these things. Often it hits in the car when I drive the kids to school. Other times when I get into the store. I LOVE the feeling when the right idea hits! Thanks for entering your awesome chickpea recipes, they both look wonderful!
What a great event…I’ve entered an Indian Chicekn Wings recipe for it Marla. Look forward to seeing the round up. Love love love the avacado dip!
Look at all those grill creations! oh my tummy growls so loud!~
fun post. Hello from Italy
What a fantastic give-away and opportunity for others to share their recipes. These skewers look fantastic and I love the addition of the avocado dip. Perfect for summertime!
Thanks Carrie! Dara and I are loving hosting this virtual summer BBQ. I wish I could make each and every one of the recipes….would be quite the party 🙂
I already follow you on Twitter!
I also already follow @CookinCanuck on Twitter.
I definitely used to LIVE for those pigs in a blanket! They were the only way I would eat hot dogs.
These skewers look like a step above though! And I am LOVING this dip!
Love your hotdog skewers!! They look so delicious and beautiful!! I’m sure it will be a great hit among the kids. I never thought of pairing it with avocado dip. Interesting combo!
Just added another recipe. This time, smokey eggplant guacamole 🙂
I follow @marlameredith on twitter
I follow @cookincanuk
And I’m using your badge in both posts. Thanks, ladies!
What an adorable idea for hot dogs! I am doing a hot dog story on my blog tomorrow…I will be sure to link back to this one!
Thanks so much for the link live Kristina…..your Florida Citrus Salsa dogs look awesome! Never knew that ketchup was a taboo topping in Chicago. Good thing I did not go that route 🙂
Oh yes, it’s an old joke in Chicago! (But if you or your readers want to use ketchup I won’t tell…)
Cool, that can be our little secret. If I end up in Chicago I will remember this rule 😉
Thank you for this delish Labor Day recipe idea! I’ve included your post in my 15 Delicious Labor Day BBQ Party Recipes round-up.
Have a great week!
http://stacymolter.com/2013/08/15-delicious-labor-day-bbq-party-recipes/