Serve these with macaroni and cheese in the shape of seashells.

1. Heat the water in a saucepan until it simmers.

2. Starting 2 inches down from one end of the hot dog, make a cut through to the other end. Then make 4 cuts lengthwise to create 8 tentacles. The 2-inch uncut part of the hot dog is the head of the octopus.

3. Put the hot dogs in the simmering water for 5 minutes; remove and drain. The tentacles will separate and curl.

4. Set each octopus on a plate and make eyes with dots of mustard.