Completos (Chilean-Style Hot Dogs)

During high school, I lived in Santiago, Chile for two years while my parents served as Mission Presidents for our Church. I feel so lucky that as a sixteen year-old girl I was able to learn firsthand about the beautiful culture of Chile and its people.

It's been almost ten years, but I remember the details of life in Chile like it was just yesterday; like the smell of fresh bakery bread and the taste of a Completo. There are not a lot of Chilean dishes that I truly love -- but this hot dog is one of them. Even if you are a hot-dog-hater, I am pretty convinced that you'd change your mind if you had an authentic Completo. Now, I won't claim that I make them the same way an average Chilean would -- but I make what tastes good to me.

As luck would have it, I married a handsome fella' who served an LDS Mission in Chile (but we met years later on U.S. soil). He appreciates Completos as much as I do. Isn't that romantic?

Here's how to make your own Completo...

1 pkg favorite Hot Dogs

1-2 Tomatoes, diced

2 Avocados, mashed

Juice of 1 lime

Salt & Pepper

1/4 - 1/2 Onion, finely diced

Mayonnaise

Ketchup, optional

Hot Dog Buns (bakery-fresh, when possible -- I like this relatively quick recipe for homemade buns -- shaped into hot dog buns instead of hamburger buns, of course.)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread hot dogs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes. (Of course there are other methods to cooking your hot dogs -- this is just what I typically do.)

Meanwhile, mash the avocado with lime juice and salt & pepper.

To prepare: Place hot dog in bun and layer with mayonnaise, ketchup (optional), avocado, tomatoes, and onions. ENJOY!

Eating with the Caceres family in Til-Til.

With my sister at a bakery in Santiago.

Chileans make the Best.Bread.Ever!