Soggy Dogs

So I watched the most recent episode of Top Chef last night, and Erik got booted for trying to serve corndogs more than 2 hours after they had been fried. Soggy, 2 hour old corndogs... Bobblehead. Let me say that first, I know I could never come close to the talent that is on this show. But sometimes the mistakes they make are just so.... I don't know, easy. I mean, think about it, even if you go to the county fair, the guy in the booth fries up your corn dog when you order it so it is nice and hot and crispy! C'mon, Erik. I know my culinary instructor of life, also known as my Dad, would agree. The man was king of the corndog back in New Albany. He could make a perfectly battered, perfectly golden corndog like non other.

But speaking of dogs, if you haven't been to The Dog of Nashville on Nolensville Rd., I highly recommend a trip. I am not a huge hot dog lover, but I get cravings, and this place can satisfy any and all hot dog requests. And to top it off, their fries are heaven. Sadly, I am insanely addicted to fries, and have no problem polishing off a big basket of them with Ranch on the side. Check 'em out.

On another note, one of the other chefs botched a perfectly good pasta salad. One of the judges actually told her that you could buy a better pasta salad in a box in the store. OUCH. That one I could have stepped in on. My mom is the queen of great pasta salads, and thank goodness she passed on a few secrets to me.
My favorite is her tuna noodle pasta salad, and in the summer time I crave it almost weekly.

Tuna Noodle Salad
1 large box Shell Pasta; cooked, drained, and rinsed in cold water
1 large or 2 small cans tuna, drained
3-4 scallions chopped
1 can pitted black olives, chopped
1 small bag frozen peas (not thawed or cooked)
1 red or yellow bell pepper, optional (mostly for color - or 1 small can chopped pimentos)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Oregano
1/4 teaspoon celery salt (this is the secret!!)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (or salt)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder (or about a teaspoon spicy brown mustard)
Salt and pepper to taste
Mayonnaise - enough to make it creamy

Mix all together - chill.

Happy Monday!
D