Homemade Chili Cheese Dogs

3 Tbs vegetable oil (or butter)

1 sweet yellow onion, diced

1 pound mushrooms, sliced thinly

1 cup diced celery

1 cup diced red pepper

½ cup diced carrots

1 pound ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1 cup red wine

4 tbs. ground cumin

2 tbs. chili powder

1 Tbs. thyme

1 Tbs. oregano

2 Tbs. brown sugar

Salt to taste

4 jumbo hot dogs, heated according to package instructions

4 Rudi’s gluten-free multi-grain hot dog rolls – split open and toasted

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (for dairy free omit cheese)

Optional garnishes:  sour cream, guacamole

In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onions, mushrooms, celery, red pepper, and carrots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent. Add ground beef and cook until the meat is lightly browned and no pink spots remain.  Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is tender and fragrant, about two minutes.  Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and red wine and stir until well combined.  Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add cumin, chili powder, thyme, oregano, and brown sugar.  Bring soup back to a boil; reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.  Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary.  Heat hot dogs according to package instructions.  Place one hot dog on each Rudi’s Gluten-free hot dog roll.  Ladle a heaping scoop of chili on top of the hot dog.  Top with grated cheese and desired garnishes. 

*** You will have extra left-over chili.  Store in an air-tight container and freeze for up to one month.