Hot Dog Chili & Homemade Ice Cream

It’s not officially Fourth of July in my house without hot dogs and homemade ice cream. The only thing better, IMHO, is homemade chili for said hot dog (Nathan’s All Beef, if we’re getting serious). My mama makes the best chili and she has taught me — the only problem being we didn’t have an official recipe because it’s a ‘just add this, and it if isn’t right, add this’ situation.

After discussing this dilemma the other night over the phone, she graciously went out and bought ingredients so she could make it and finally write it down. Here is our best guess. Tweak as you need – a little more ketchup, a little more water, a little more chili powder, etc.

Hot Dog Chili

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb of ground beef
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small sweet onion (optional)*
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp chili powder
• Dash of salt
• Dash of pepper
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup ketchup

INSTRUCTIONS

Coarsely chop onion. Melt butter in a sauté pan. Cook onion until soft. Add ground beef, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Brown meat mixture, chopping (I swear by this chopper) until very fine. Add chili powder, water and ketchup to the pan (we pour the water in a liquid measure cup and then add the ketchup on top). Mix together and simmer until reduced. Adjust seasonings** as necessary. 

*Gigi always does onion. I always leave it out because it’s an extra step and requires dicing. I start with the browning of the beef step. I add a dash of onion powder if I want this flavor.

**I sometimes add a squirt of yellow or Dijon mustard to add a little flavor. My mama thinks you need 3 tsp (1 tbsp) of chili powder. 

I seriously can’t remember a Fourth of July growing up that didn’t include our super loud ice cream maker on the front porch complete with a bag of ice and the giant box of salt. Thankfully, things have gotten much easier regarding the machine portion of the process. We picked this one out when we were getting married and use it all the time. Friendly reminder to go put the base in the freezer right now so it can chill for at least 24 hours before you use it.

Homemade (Vanilla) Ice Cream

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup whole milk 
• ¾ cup granulated sugar 
• Pinch of salt 
• 2 cups heavy cream 
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium bowl combine the milk, sugar and salt until the sugar is dissolved (whisk or hand-mixer for about 2 minutes). Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. (You can cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours, or overnight if you want to make ahead.)
2. Turn on the ice cream maker; pour the mixture into the frozen freezer bowl and let mix until thickened, about 20 minutes. If you want to add in fruit/candy, do so halfway through mixing time.
3. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If you want a firmer consistency move the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours. 
4. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.

If you attempt either recipe, you have to let me know what you think. Also, dying to know if you have any family must-haves for the Fourth. Share below!

xo,

KNW