Chili Dog Meal | Sonic the Hedgehog

"That. Can't you smell it? A succulent sausage, smothered in sauce, anointed with onions and garnished with grated cheese." 

--Sonic, "The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog", Episode 1.

          This chili dog meal is inspired from various Sonic sources, particularly the cartoons and comics. Continued mention of Sonic's love of chili dogs appears in the several animated series, especially "The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog" which originally aired in the US from (Sept.) 1993-1996. Among the scores of kids who watched the show after a long day of school, you could find me, munching on...something...probably a dill pickle wrapped in a slice of cheese. Jaleel White/aka Steve Urkel, you will forever be the voice of Sonic for me (Jaleel voiced Sonic in three series, one of which was the 1993-1994 SonicSatAM, my fav).

          There's something special about giving characters a "thing". Like loving a specific food. Like chili dogs. This worked so well for Sonic that his food of choice carried over into the subsequent (and parallel) Sonic cartoons, the comics, and back to where Sonic began, the video games.

          Sonic and plain hotdogs were mentioned in "Sonic the Comic" #5 (July 1993) along with thick milkshakes and preceded by hamburgers (we'll overlook the burgers). But before all this, by only a couple of months, was the official and impressive (it contains mushrooms) "Chili Dog A La Sonic" recipe published in Archie Comics' "Sonic the Hedgehog" #1 (May 1993) in the one-pager, "Fast Food" (shown below left).

Click to enlarge.

          The people at Sega must have had a particularly well catered chili dog luncheon at the beginning of 1993 followed by a unanimous decision that chili dogs be added to the Sonic mythos. (FYI: the comics & cartoons are all officially licensed by Sega & as such are part of the official Sonic cannon.)
          After the cartoon and comic introduction of Sonic's culinary love, the video games followed suit. Now it's just part of Sonic's stats, something you can't separate. Sonic and chili dogs. And boy are they yummy. This meal was totally "up, over, and gone"!

          Below you'll find a combination of the above Archie Comics recipe (adapted), the thick shake mentioned in Sonic the Comic #5, and the fact that Sonic collects golden rings! I mean seriously, onion rings are a given side--but if you get hit and toss your rings, I don't recommend trying to pick them up again.

Sonic's Chili Dogs
(Based on the "Chili Dog A La Sonic" recipe from Archie Comics' "Sonic the Hedgehog" #1)

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Ingredients:

1 lb. Ground Beef
1 large Onion, diced
1 large Green Pepper, diced
1 Jalapeno pepper, diced
1/2 Cup Mushrooms, diced
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 (~14 oz.) can Crushed Tomatoes
1 Cup (8 oz.) Barbecue Sauce
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp. Cumin
1 tsp. Oregano
1 (~15 oz.) can Red Kidney Beans, drained & rinsed
1 pkg. long, Beef Hot Dogs
Hot Dog Rolls (or any sturdy rolls)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional)

Directions:
1. In a large pan, cook the ground beef just until no longer pink.
2. Add the onion, peppers, mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, & BBQ sauce. Cover & simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano, & drained & rinsed kidney beans. Cover & simmer for 1 hour.
4. Lay the hotdogs on top of the chili & cook another 15 minutes. During this time lightly toast a few hot dog buns in the oven.
5. To serve, place a hot dog on a bun & generously cover with chili. Top with shredded cheese (optional).

Golden (Onion) Rings

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Ingredients:
2-3 large, Sweet Onions
1/2 Cup Flour
Canola Oil
Batter
1 1/2 Cup Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
2 tsp. Sugar
2 Eggs
1 1/4 Cup Milk
1/4 Cup Oil

Directions:
IF you are using a deep fryer, pour in the canola oil & begin to heat it while you do the next steps.
1. Peel the onions & slice them into rings about 1/4 in. thick. Separate the rings & pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Place the rings in a large, sturdy plastic bag & add 1/2 cup flour. Shake the bag until the onion rings are coated.
3. In a small bowl, combine the first four batter ingredients (the dry items). In a large bowl, stir together the last three ingredients (the wet items) until well blended. Add the dry ingredients to the wet & stir until completely combined & smooth.
IF you are using a large pan to cook the onion rings, pour in about an inch of canola oil & heat it on medium until a small drop of batter sizzles & floats to the surface when dropped in.
4. Coating a few at a time, dip the floured onion rings in the batter. Place the rings in the hot oil, not crowding them, until the bottom sides are golden brown. Flip carefully & brown the other side.
5. Place the rings on a paper towel-lined cookie sheet & keep them warm in the oven set on low. Serve as soon as you're finished frying the batch.

Thick Shake

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Ingredients:
5 crazy large scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream
2 Cups Milk
4 Tbsp. Pudding Mix (flavor of your choice)
Redi-Whip (optional)

Directions:
1. Put all of the ingredients in a blender & blend until fully incorporated & smooth.
2. Pour into cups & let sit in the refrigerator for a few minutes to thicken slightly. Serve with Redi-whip on top (optional).

This post is dedicated to my friend Tasha who is an awesome artist who drew the heck out of Sonic & co. in our...was it high school? middle school days? They blur together. But I can't think of Sonic and not think of you, Tasha!