HANK'S RECIPES

To add true southwestern flavor to your Hank the Cowdog event, serve the delicious snacks listed below, plus add chips and salsa, ranch potato chips, fresh veggies, and other goodies.

Easy Texas Chili

2 lbs. ground beef
2 large onions, chopped (about 2 c.)
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt
2 16 oz. cans whole tomatoes, undrained
2 15 1/2 oz. cans red kidney beans, undrained

Stir ground beef, onion and garlic in a large pot until beef is brown; drain. Mix in remaining ingredients except beans; break up tomatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 hour. Stir in beans. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and sour cream. 8 generous servings. from Betty Crocker's Cookbook ©1986 General Mills

Ranch Dip

1 cup mayonnaise
1 packet ranch dip seasoning
3/4 cup milk

Blend ingredients together; chill 1 hour. Serve with veggies, chips, or crackers.

Texas Twister Punch

Red fruit punch
Lemon-lime soda

Combine equal parts punch and soda (or to taste) in a large bowl. Serve with ice.

Puppy Chow

9 c. crispy corn cereal (i.e., Chex)
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter*
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and margarine on high power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds or until mixture stirs smoothly. Stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal in a large bowl, coating evenly. Place in a large plastic bag, add powdered sugar, and shake until coated. Cool on waxed paper. Makes 9 cups.
*Be sure to alert event participants that this recipe contains peanut butter, to avoid possible allergic reactions.

Dog Bone & Ranch Security Badge Cookies

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. shortening (part butter or margarine)
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture until well blended. Form the dough into a ball and chill in the refrigerator at least one hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with dog bone or star-shaped cookie cutters and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Hank's Bow-WOW Bone Cake

Use your favorite cake recipe or mix to make four cakes—three 8-inch round cakes and one 9x13-inch rectangle. They should all be approximately the same thickness (approximately 2 inches). Remove all cakes from pans. Place the rectangular sheet cake in the center of a large tray or clean board. Be sure to leave plenty of room around the cake. Cut a one-quarter wedge out of each round cake. Place the three wedges together to create a fourth cake that is a three-quarter round. Arrange the remaining cakes at the corners of the rectangular cake as shown below.

Frost with white icing. For a "dug-up" look, dust the frosted cake with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs. Write Hank's name on the long part of the bone.
Serve and enjoy!

Hank's Bow-WOW Bone Cake Diagram

HANK THE COWDOG^® is a registered trademark of John R. Erickson
© John R. Erickson; Illustrations by Gerald L. Holmes
©Puffin Books & Viking Children's Books, divisions of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers