One of the greatest things about beautiful weather is the ability to have COOKOUTS!

Next time you’re grilling up hot dogs, try a Cookout Condiment Bar to make it even more special.

Really make it a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. It’s the secret all great restaurants know. 🙂

Separate all condiments into stainless steel or clear bowls – out of their original jars and squeeze bottles. Supply each bowl with an appropriately-sized serving spoon and line them up, preferably in a covered, shaded area.

Be sure to include all the traditional items like relish, mustard, ketchup, maybe onions, sauerkraut, and chili.

But why not add some non-traditional choices as well? Try including avocado, tomatoes, spicy condiments like sriracha, and then throw in a unique twist like sliced lemons. Have you ever squeezed lemon juice onto your hot dog? Try it! You might love it!

Have fun thinking up wild condiments that not only add flavor to your hot dogs, but color as well. A beautiful plate makes it taste that much better.

Be sure to start with all beef hot dogs (my must-have) and have fun with your own Cookout Condiment Bar!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Not only is it basketball time, it’s BASEBALL time, too! I love this time of year!

Part of the experience of going to the ballpark to watch some baseball is the food, right?

Ya gotta get into the spirit of America’s pastime by eating a good ‘ol American hot dog.

BUT, some major league ballparks are taking their dogs, well, to the extreme.

Take Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. They’ve got The Beast (see above), a grilled bratwurst cut in half and stuffed with a HOT DOG, then wrapped in bacon and topped off with sauerkraut and grilled onions on a pretzel roll.

WOW. That took some real thought — and calories.

Click here to see more crazy hot dog concoctions. Would you eat all of these? Not in one sitting, of course.

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Brewers via People.com.

An Australian company has put together flags created with its corresponding country’s cuisine.

Ours? Why, hot dogs, of course!

And truly, who among us does not enjoy the all-American all-beef frank?

There are a lot of other cool flags there. The Australian flag is made of a meat pie with sauce. Yum!

Check out these incredible, edible designs here. Which one is your favorite?

Photo courtesy of WHYBINTBWA via DailyMail.co.uk.