July 3, 2021

Next-level Spicy Vegan Hot Dog

This recipe is crazy simple, quick, and flavorful. Delicious Field Roast sausage comes together with the shining condiments of dijon mustard, vegan mayo, and sweet & spicy pickle relish to create possibly the best hot dog you’ve ever had. Look no further for your throw-together lunch on a busy day!

It’s Independence Day, 2021. The world is reopening, the skies are blue, and the water is warm. Life is on the up and up — for me here at Sauté Queen, at least. There is only one problem — many of us are celebrating our freedoms at the expense of the enslaved and oppressed.

Yes, I am referring to the animals who are killed for our hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, and bratwursts. I know this is “just the way things are” — this is the society we are all born into. But just because something is the status quo, does not mean it is morally permissible. To me, it seems ironic that we celebrate our freedom by ingesting those who are denied it at our hands. These individuals remain invisible and voiceless, and their desires for independence and freedom are dismissed simply because they are non-human.

I have mixed feelings about Independence Day — on the one hand, I love my country and all the privileges and opportunities I am afforded as a result of my luck in being born here, especially as a white person. On the other hand, I am deeply saddened that America was established on brutal annihilation of those who were in our (white colonizers’) way, and that violence and oppression continue in many ways.

Among my social circles, and beyond into the mainstream media, I see the country awakening to and damning systems of injustice unlike ever before in my lifetime. The existence and impact of white supremacy is acknowledged aloud by people in power, sexual predators are held accountable even in positions of clout, the country is finally paying attention to violence against black Americans, and LGBTQ+ individuals are increasingly accepted and celebrated for who they are. Don’t get me wrong — I recognize our problems are far from solved, and there is a lot of hard work ahead. It is, however, encouraging to see some steps in the right direction.

What I wonder, though, is why our rejection of oppression should start and end with humans. Systems of oppression interact with one another, and no justice movement is single-issue in nature. To me, a rejection of violence and domination applies to all areas. Peace for one should mean peace for all.

Of course, we cannot possibly dedicate our lives to fighting on every single front of oppression — there are too many at play for a single person to tackle, and we will all gravitate more strongly to certain causes for which we will actively support. That is only natural.

What I don’t find acceptable, though, is cherry picking causes to stand behind while actively ignoring our participation in other systems of injustice. Most people will readily reject senseless police violence against black Americans, but when we are faced with the behavioral change of giving up steak, suddenly doing the right thing is an inconvenience we can’t be bothered with.

Because of the systems of injustice we live within, not all of us can be vegan. There are absolutely valid reasons many people cannot make the change, and it is ignorant to think otherwise. However, it is simply not true that only five percent of the world can be vegan or at least move in that direction — the fact is, many of us can change our ways, but just choose not to out of personal convenience.

This Independence Day, I assert that there is a better way to enjoy a hot dog. A way that is more flavorful, non-carcinogenic, and most importantly, upholds the values of freedom we claim to embody.

This Independence Day, let us celebrate that we are in a position to make a positive impact on this world, no matter how small. Let us embrace the responsibility to educate ourselves and do the hard, uncomfortable work. Let us celebrate how far we’ve come, and recognize how far we have to go.

Let us commend the plant based innovators who are making it easier every day to choose peace. Whether you enjoy this cruelty free hot dog on Independence Day or any other day, I hope you savor the flavor and spread it far and wide.

Cheers and Happy Independence Day, from the Sauté Queen table to yours.