Take Me Out to the Ball Game

It's almost summer and that means that it's time for Ted to have far more Pirates tickets than anyone has a right to.  Yes, it's baseball season.

I grew up in a baseball loving household.  I think my father always felt a little cheated because he had three daughters and no sons.  It's not that girls can't and don't like baseball, because we all did, but he never had the son to toss the ball around with.  Nonetheless, we all accompanied my dad quite regularly to see the Dodgers play.  In fact, I have very fond memories not only of my own childhood at Dodger Stadium, but also of Charlie and Kate's.

Ted loves baseball like no one I have ever seen, except for maybe Charlie.  In fact, Charlie loves baseball so much that when he had to write his college application essay he wrote about the feelings he has when sitting in a ballpark.  It still brings tears to my eyes.  The crack of the bat, the green of the grass, the smell of the hotdogs...  You have the idea.

I like baseball but I do not share my husband's and son's true love of the sport.  A couple of games every season is just fine for me.  This is not the case with Ted and Charlie where more is more and the more the better.  Kate is neutral on the whole thing.  She'll go if there's an extra ticket (which there almost always is) and if she has nothing better to do.

But there is one thing I love about baseball.  I love the condiments.  Yes, you heard me right.  I love condiments.  For me, the hotdog and bun are merely the vehicle on which the condiments rest.  By the time I'm done "dressing" my dog there is no evidence of a dog being in the bun.  The sloppier the condiments are, the better.  If they're not dripping out of and off of the bun I know I didn't put enough on.

So, here's what I like.  Lots of mustard.  If they have deli mustard in addition to the classic American, I go for both.  Onions.  Relish. Sauerkraut, if they have it.  You may note the absence of ketchup.  Let me make this clear.  Ketchup is a hamburger condiment and does not make an appearance on any hotdog I am going to eat.

So, there you have it.  The perfect hotdog.  It's funny though.  I rarely make hotdogs at home, as yummy as they are.  But if I did make hotdogs at home I would serve them with this, my favorite cole slaw of all time.  In fact, I'll bet it would be good as a condiment.


Recipe:  Bobby Flay's Creamy Cole Slaw

Ingredients:

• 1 head green cabbage, finely shredded
• 2 large carrots, finely shredded
• 3/4 cup best-quality mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons grated Spanish onion
• 2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons celery salt
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Combine the shredded cabbage and carrots in a large bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, sugar, vinegar, mustard, celery salt, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl, and then add to the cabbage mixture. Mix well to combine and taste for seasoning; add more salt, pepper, or sugar if desired.