Cucumber Relish

What is the most common cookout food to have at family BBQ's?  For us it is burgers and hot dogs!  With the swimming pool open and all of our time being spent outdoors and at friends houses, we eat a lot of grilled You may not be a huge fan of your kids eating hot dogs daily, but since they are a favorite of most kids you may have them one once in a while.  I have found that their are some healthier alternatives to the traditional hot dogs. Our favorite brand is Applegate. I like to keep a few packs of these in the freezer and take them with me when we go to cookouts for the kiddos.

Applegate: Natural Uncured Beef and Pork Hotdog
Made with humanely raised, antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed beef and pork, seasoned with paprika, sea salt, celery powder, and love. No nitrates, fillers, or anything else you would not want to eat and feed your family.

Applegate: Organic Chicken Hotdog
Certified Organic chicken is seasoned with paprika and onions, then lightly smoked and cooked. 

Applegate: Natural Big Apple Hotdog
Made with a natural lamb casing, free from antibiotics and artificial ingredients. These hot dogs are made exclusively from boneless pork shoulders and beef chuck, and have the trademark “snap” New York dogs are known for.

In honor of our Eat This Not That series for The Healthy Edge Online Community, I went on the search for a homemade relish to make for our guests at cookouts this year.  We are big fans of relish to dress up our burgers and the occasional hot dog, so here you go...

Cucumber Relish

2 cups cucumber, finely diced
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
2 Tbsp Agave Nectar (more maybe needed for personal preference) can also use 1/4 cup Turbinado sugar
1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tsp water
salt

1. Place cucumber and onion in a collander, sprinkle with salt and let sit and drain for 2 -3 hours. 
2. Place in paper towel and dab off all excess moisture.
3. Bring vinegar, agave and 1/4 tsp salt to a boil.
4. Boil for about 3 minutes, add cucumber and onion, simmer 2 minutes. 
5. Add cornstarch and water mixture, simmer one minute.
6. Chill one hour before serving.

Try The Healthy Edge Online Community for FREE for 14 days and discover more healthy alternatives to your favorite foods in the April Health Series.