Call it tailgating or cheerleading cuisine, if your friends gather for a game, they will be hungry. Try my hotdog “stand” treat for a winning combination of flavors. Lightly split each hotdog and insert a thin slice of Cheddar cheese. (The idea is to not cut all the way through the dog; just partially so that the cheese fits inside. Wrap each dog with a bacon slice and grille or broil the hotdogs until the bacon is cooked. (For guests who do not prefer pork bacon, offer turkey bacon.) For the buns, cut indentations in hoagie buns so the hotdogs fit like passengers in a boat. The secret of success is in the condiments. Grand slam the condiments with a selection of mustards, relishes and chutneys. Offer homemade chili, grilled onions and grilled julienned green peppers. Turn up the sporting revelry and stoke the grille – it’s time to win in the kitchen, too! © Kelly McBride Loft