July Is National Hot Dog Month! Have You Tried Udi's Gluten Free Buns?

Did you know that July is National Hot Dog Month? That's right! This month, people are paying homage to a tradition as American as apple pie or the Star Spangled Banner! You see hot dogs at the ball park, in convenience stores on rollers, and of course, at just about every family cookout or barbecue. They're known by several names such as weenies, franks, frankfurters, coneys, or just plain "dawgs".

The history of this sausage on a bun is somewhat shrouded in mystery. You see, there is some argument as to who truly invented the hot dog. Some think it made its debut at Coney Island in 1870. Others claim that hot dogs were first sold in St. Louis in 1880. More still insist that hot dogs made their debut at The World's Fair, either in 1893 or 1904. So while the jury is still out on where these meals on a bun got their start, one thing is for sure: Hot dogs are here to stay.

Hot dogs have been a staple in homes for generations. They're a definite kid-pleaser, and many a childhood memory revolve around this iconic, American food. Whether you like yours Chicago Style, "Naked", New York Style, or even dressed up with spicy chili and melty, gooey cheese, a hot dog can hit the spot when hunger kicks in. And these tasty treats really shine during the summer grilling season.

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How do I like my hot dogs? Well, I am a bit of a hot dog snob....I ONLY eat 100% beef hot dogs. Not pork, not chicken, and definitely not turkey. For me, it's got to be beef. I especially like those dogs that come "from a higher power", as their commercials state.

As far as hot dog dressings, I like to experiment. I love them with mustard and ketchup, but I also enjoy more creative toppings like chili and cheese, pickles, and even guacamole! Hot dogs are incredibly versatile, so chances are, if you can fit a topping on the bun, it might just be a success!

Recently, I was at a cookout with several people. Sadly, one little girl was unable to eat burgers and hot dogs with everyone else due to a gluten intolerance. I wish I would have known about the buns from Udi's Gluten Free Foods! That's right! Udi's makes a selection of hot dog and hamburger buns that are allowing those with Celiac's Disease or other gluten intolerances to enjoy cookouts like never before!

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, the #1 gluten free baked goods brand, revolutionized the category when it introduced the first gluten-free bread that tastes and looks like “real” bread. Udi's products contain no artificial ingredients, no GMOs and very few preservatives, too!

The generous folks at Udi's Gluten Free Foods sent me a box full of gluten free goodies to try with my family. Take a look at the tasty treats we received!

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I LOVE the box!

When we opened the adorable box, we found loads of treats like cookies, brownie bites, and of course, an assortment of hamburger and hot dog buns!

Their hamburger buns come in both a classic and whole grain variety. These buns look and feel much like their traditional counterparts!

And of course, they sent hot dog buns to help us celebrate National Hot Dog Month! These are Dairy, soy and nut free, and are also a good source of fiber!

My kids were thrilled when they saw the assortment of cookies Udi's sent. We received 3 cookie varieties as well as some scrumptious, Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites.

Here are the Chocolate Chip Cookies. Now you wouldn't think a gluten-free cookie would be very tasty, but we were pleasantly surprised. These cookies were soft and chewy, and had a wonderful, authentic flavor. The reminded me of cookies my Grandma used to make when I was a kid!

Here are the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. These are made with 100% certified gluten free oats. They have the wonderful, "oatey" texture that traditional oatmeal cookies have, but without the gluten. I love the spiced flavor and the plump, sweet raisins. These cookies were fantastic, and were probably my personal favorite!

Udi's makes Snickerdoodles, too! My 12 year old son positively raved about this variety. These cookies were soft, slightly chewy, and loaded with a fantastic, cinnamon flavor. Overall, each of the cookie varieties we were sent had a bakery-fresh feel to them and the flavor was amazing.

Of course I can't forget about the Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites! These little morsels are perfectly sized for a little treat, and are fabulous. They aren't sickeningly sweet, which I appreciate, and they have that authentic, more dense chewiness found in the best brownies. My husband and 2 year old enjoyed these the most, since they're total chocoholics!

While the sweets were delectable, I was curious to see how the hot dog and hamburger buns stacked up. After all, it IS grilling season! I made some burgers, hot dogs, fries, and buttered corn. I decided to keep it relatively simple so I wouldn't be too overwhelmed by flavors and could judge the bun on its own. I had a 3 cheese burger with cheddar, sliced white American, and Monterey Jack. I dressed it simply with pickles and some Country Bob Sauce.

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by the buns. They're not completely identical to regular buns, but they're very, very good. They have great flavor, but the consistency and texture is slightly different than you'd find in plain white buns. It's not a "bad" different at all, though. The feel of these buns actually reminds me of artisan breads you'd find in a bakery. Perhaps a bit more dense than regular white buns, but still very appealing. They have a kind of gourmet feel to them, and I think they'd be great for grilled chicken or even Portabella Mushroom burgers!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at how good gluten free foods could taste. I didn't even tell my husband what was missing, since he tends to be very resistant to trying what he would consider "heath foods". He happily ate everything he tried, and never made a single comment asking about any differences. My kids loved them, too! Udi's Gluten Free Foods has really hit the mark, as far as I am concerned. Their foods are tasty, nutritious, and can finally bring the simple pleasures of eating back to those who have gluten restrictions in their diets. I think I will stock up on these products and use them when we have get togethers! That way, no one will have to feel left out! Happy Grilling!


HOW TO CONNECT :

You can check out the awesomeness that is Udi's Gluten Free Foods on their website.

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods are now 150 Wal-Mart stores across the country! To see if there is a Walmart near you that carries Udi’s, enter your zip code into our store locator: www.udisglutenfree.com/stores

You can also connect with Udi's Gluten Free Foods on Facebook and on twitter!



***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***