Food is intimately tied to memories. One of my early childhood memories is of going to eat with my father at iconic Coney Island Hot Dogs in Worcester, Massachusetts. In those days a hot dog with all the fixings cost 15 cents; I still remember when they went up to a whole 25 cents and my father arguing with the owner that if they kept raising their prices they would go out of business. Well my dad is gone now and I miss him every day, but George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs is still going strong. This recipe is my homage to the wonderful sauce they still serve on their hot dogs and that childhood memory of going out to eat with my dad.

Yield about 2 cups
Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (85%*)

• 1 large onion (finely chopped)

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/6 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (¼ tsp. to kick-it-up-a-notch)

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• Splash of Worcestershire

• 2 cups water

Preparation:

1. In a medium saucepan or deep sauté pan, brown the ground beef; drain well.

2. Add the finely chopped onion, chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, allspice, ground mustard, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, chili powder, black pepper, tomato paste, and water.

3. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 2 hours.