So I defrosted a piece of flap steak. Then I didn't leave work until late. Then my brother called to get help doing his HUD financials (which are past due of course). It was 9:00 before I could think about supper, and I just couldn't face any prep work.
So we had CONEYS! Now for all you folks who come from New York, New Jersey, or other parts of the country, just hold on to your comments for a minute. Michiganders will know what I'm talking about. Coney Islands have nothing to do with New York or an amusement park. You cannot get them with pickles, relish, catsup, or a 'walk in the garden'. They were started by a couple of Greek brothers, but they really don't taste of any Greek flavors.
Some may say a coney is a hot dog. Others may call it a chili dog. It's neither. It's a Coney.
First, the bun must be steamed - not toasted. Soft and squishy.
The hotdog MUST have a casing. It's not a coney without the 'snap'. Nathan's will do as a stand-in in a pinch, but the true authentic dog is a Dearborn Sausage or a Kogel's hot dog. You might heat the hotdogs in water at first, but whether or not you do, they must be finished on the griddle. No soggy dogs.
Then there's the chili! This is not chili as most folks know it - it's a meat sauce. There is no tomato product, no chili peppers. You can definitely taste cumin in the spice mix, but for the most part it's a flavor that's unrecognizable. That's because the finely ground meat in it is beef heart. Now you can find lots of 'copycat' recipes out there for the chili, but you'll never achieve this taste, because they all start with hamburger. I've seen recipes that boil the burger first. I've seen recipes that use ground up hot dogs. But the only way to get the real 'coney' flavor is to use ground beef heart. (Most Michiganders don't like to acknowledge this little bit of information! We just overlook it and pretend it's hamburger). I order the chili from National in a frozen 5-pound block. Add a little water and use as needed.
There are only 2 optional toppings; mustard & chopped raw onion. With or without. Regular or heavy. That's it.
It's truly a taste of home! All you Michigan ex-pats, be assured. If I can have coneys in Florida, you can have them wherever you are!