Mini Green Chile Corn Dogs

Mini green chile corn dogs?  What in the world?  I know, that's what I thought to myself as the idea donned on me.  These little guys are adorable and fun with an extra kick. Summer is slowly coming to a close.  And when I slowly, I mean, HOLY SHNIKES, it was 102 degrees yesterday.  That's right.  If you don't live in New Mexico, be sad for your lack of Hatch green chile, but be happy that it doesn't feel like your 5 inches from the gates of hell in September.  (Too far?  Too far.  My bad.) While I cling to little bits of summer like cookouts and road trips and days that vanish into night ever-so-slowly, there are so many reasons I run toward fall without turning back.

Let me put it this way: Summer is like that family member that comes to stay with you every once in awhile, and they stay FOREVER.  When they're close to arrival, you get excited about all the possibilities and fun that may ensue.  But then, before you know it, they've been staying in your house for two weeks and all you want is your LIFE BACK.

On the other hand, the fall season is like that magical family member that lives far away and only comes once in a blue moon.  Their life seems like a fairytale as they travel and have amazing friends and there is so much for you to learn about them.  When they come, you soak up every second and wish that they would stay longer and longer and LONGER. Living in New Mexico, this is how I feel about fall.

I love the wardrobe that allows you to look perfect in jeans and a tee when it's paired with comfy boots and a scarf that screams louder than the baby in Walmart. I also will be the first to admit, WITHOUT SHAME, that my obsessions wax and wane much to the tune of Google search trends.  Give me all the pumpkin spice till kingdom come, please and thank you. But if I had to pinpoint my absolute favorite thing about the transition from summer to fall, it would be the event that happens on the very cusp:  The State Fair.

The rides, the dances, the rodeos--OH MY!  Not to mention it always happens right around my birthday (21 days away, but who's counting?).  Even more than all that, THE FOOD.  Am I right?  You can get just about anything fried, including snickers bars, and wash it down with the best lemonade on earth.  Most things come on a stick, whether natural (as in, drumstick), or geniusly applied by man to maximize eating and walking effectiveness. Everything about corn dogs and curly fries reminds me of the fair.  While I'm still trying to dream up something to do with green chile and curly fries (loaded with queso is my best idea so far), I went ahead and took a stab at homemade corn dogs for the first time ever.  

They were so fun to make! It's a little bit of an involved process, but I think it's totally worth it.  Especially if you're making something for a football get-together or a party, this is great finger food!  I riffed off of Paula Deen's corn dog recipe.  I could not for the life of me find something titled "self-rising corn mix," so I grabbed a box of Jiffy, omitted the added sugar and called it good.  And I mean, GOOD. I hope you guys find these to be a spicy take on an old-time favorite!