Foodness Gracious - Week 78

Recipes

Memorial Day is right around the corner—and while everyone else is firing up the same ol’ ketchup-and-mustard hot dogs, you have a golden opportunity to spice things up.

Meet our Grilled Kung Pao Veggie Hot Dogs: the perfect mashup of cookout nostalgia and bold, unexpected flavor. These hot dogs are tossed in a sweet, spicy Kung Pao topping with crunchy peanuts, scallions, and grilled bell peppers. It’s summer grilling with a side of sass.

Don’t worry if veggie dogs aren’t your thing—this recipe works just as beautifully with classic all-beef franks. The magic here is in the sauce and toppings, which take your dog from basic backyard fare to "Wait, did you make this?!" levels of deliciousness.

It’s the kind of dish that gets people talking—and asking for seconds.

Kung Pao sauce brings that addictive mix of sweet heat, soy umami, and just a touch of vinegar tang. Add some char from the grill, a pillowy bun, and the satisfying crunch of peanuts, and you've got a flavor explosion that’s anything but boring. It’s the cookout twist you didn’t know you needed.

So this Memorial Day, step away from the ketchup bottle and bring some unexpected flavor to the grill. Whether you’re hosting the neighborhood or keeping it low-key with family, these Kung Pao Hot Dogs are guaranteed to make sparks fly—on and off the grill.

Reviews

No grill? No problem. With the Coca-Cola Nostalgia Hot Dog Toaster, you can whip up hot dog magic right from your kitchen counter. This retro-style appliance toasts two hot dogs and buns at the same time, so your Memorial Day moment doesn’t have to depend on sunny skies or someone manning the grill.

Perfect for apartment dwellers, dorm room chefs, or anyone who just loves a good gadget, this toaster is both functional and fun. The classic Coca-Cola branding adds a vintage vibe, and it’s surprisingly efficient—getting hot dogs sizzling and buns perfectly toasted in minutes. It’s the kind of appliance that makes people say, “Okay, that’s cool—where did you get that?”

We love pairing it with our Kung Pao Hot Dog recipe for a quick indoor version.

Toast your dogs and buns, glaze them in the sauce, and pile on your toppings for a spicy twist that feels anything but second-rate. Plus, cleanup is a breeze.

Whether you're looking to avoid the grill this holiday or just want a fun way to enjoy hot dogs all summer long, the Coca-Cola Nostalgia Hot Dog Toaster is a conversation starter and a meal-maker.

You can see all of our home kitchen product reviews too!

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Responsibility

When Memorial Day arrives in the United States, it seems the smell of a great grill follows very quickly.

We have you covered with our article walking you through all the tools you need to grill this summer. Our article covers the basics like tongs and spatulas, and evolves all the way to portable grills for those who love the outdoor camping life.

Be safe and have fun as the grilling season is now upon us!

Learn more online at Foodness Gracious in our Responsibility section.

Foodness Fun - Trivia

Hot dogs have a long and savory history that stretches all the way back to Europe, but few styles are as iconic as the Chicago-style hot dog.

Now, it’s your turn to test your food smarts with this week’s trivia challenge about the classic Chicago-style hot dog! Cast your vote and check back next week to see if your foodie instincts were right. Don’t forget to tell your fellow Foodness Followers to weigh in, too—bragging rights are on the line!