Naturally, we think that meat is perfectly wonderful in and of itself. But there’s also something to be said for having a little fun with your food. When the burgers and dogs just aren’t doing it for you, here are a couple of ways to turn tried-and-true dishes into a surprising centerpiece. Sure, they require a little bit of extra effort, but they’re sure to tickle the crowd’s taste buds, whether you’re cooking dinner for the family or trying to wow the tailgate crowd.

Bacon Cheese Turtle Burgers

Ever have a craving for turtle soup? Yeah, neither do we. Between the  impenetrable shells, the wrinkly necks, and the lack of any visibly meaty parts,  real-world turtle just don’t seem even remotely appetizing. These crunchy critters, on the other hand, are made of 100% yum, with two burger patties, cheese and two hot dogs, all wrapped up in a bacon shell. were posted to our Facebook page over a month ago and it was full-on lust at first sight. Many thanks to the inspired folks at Interwebs, Randomness and Other Inspiring Tales for the original photo and recipe.

Squid Dogs

While not nearly as anatomically accurate as the bacon cheeseburger turtles, these little swimmers still get an “A” for appetizing. Plus, super easy to make. Simply stick some raw spaghetti in the ends of a raw hot dog then boil away. And did we mention, they’re hysterical? Kudos to this Russian guy’s Livejournal blog for the original idea and recipe, and to The Busler Family for the photo.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a sausage-stuffed steak chupacabra recipe to perfect.

Tags: bacon cheeseburgers, food sculptures, hot dogs, Squid Dogs   Posted Burgers, Fun Finds Friday, Hot Dogs, Main Dish Meats |