How to Spice Up Hot Dogs 11 Different Ways
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Sep 8, 2009
Hot dogs are a traditional staple of American cuisine, but there are only so many plain hot dogs you want to eat.
Here are 11 ways you can kick your hot dogs up a notch, while keeping your budget down.
1. Traditional Ketchup & Mustard: We all know the basic way to eat a hot dog is with ketchup and mustard, right? Okay, so why not use different types of mustard like Dijon, Honey Mustard, Brown Mustard or fruity mustards?
Change the brand of ketchup you use - you may be surprised how much you like other varieties.
2. Relish & Mayonnaise: Typical for serving with hamburgers, but often forgotten when serving hot dogs. Mayonnaise will add a nice tang to your hot dog you might be missing. Try making homemade mayonnaise - it's really easy.
Relish is usually made with cucumbers, but there are different flavors of relish. There is sweet relish & dill relish. Try them both or use a gourmet chutney to mix things up a bit.
3. Onions: Mmm...Raw or fried, onions can really kick your hot dog up a notch. When frying them up, you want the onions to caramelize, so cook them low and slow, stirring frequently, to attain a golden brown color. Perfect!
When using onions raw, you can change things up by the size you cut them. Try a rough chop, right down to a fine chop. It will give you a different texture.
4. Cheese: Doesn't cheese always make things better? Now, we're not just talking about plain, old cheddar, although this is cheesy deliciousness. Try gorgonzola, havarti, smoked gouda, even blue cheese, if you like.
5. Chili: Well, of course...Chili is a common way to enjoy a hot dog (chili dogs), but honestly, when was the last time you had one you made at home? Use freshly made or leftover chili. Change your chili recipe around a bit too, more meat, less meat, more beans, less beans, more veggies, etc.
6. Saurkraut: An all-time favorite way to enjoy a hot dog is with saurkraut. Saurkraut is an Eastern European "invention" made of cured, pickled cabbage, salt, vinegar and often white wine. After it's pickled and aged, it's wonderful as is out of the jar, or you can brown it up a bit in a frying pan before using. Combine that with some fried onions...A feast fit for a Tzar!
7. Vegetables: Finely chopped lettuce, grated carrot, finely sliced cucumbers, pickled beets, alfalfa or bean sprouts, a chiffonade of herbs or finely sliced green or red peppers, even hot, pickled peppers are a great addition to change your hot dogs up and make them a much healthier meal.
After toasting your hot dog bun, try rubbing a fresh garlic clove on the inside of the bun. It will impart a wonderful flavor without being overwhelming.
8. Cooking Methods: Change it up. You can boil, barbecue and pan fry hot dogs, as well as make a corn dog batter and deep fry them. Mmm...
9. Beer: Try boiling your hot dogs in 1 bottle or can of beer instead of simple water. It will give them a great flavor and the alcohol will boil off, leaving them still servable to kids.
10. Change the Bun: You don't have to eat your hot dogs in a normal, plain, white hot dog bun. Try whole wheat, ones with sesame seeds, onion flakes or poppy seeds on them. Try baking your own buns at home - this is fabulous and very rewarding!!!
Oh yes...Don't forget you can also toast your buns in the toaster, in the oven or on the barbecue for a different flavor and texture.
11. Combination: Use a combo of any or all of these ideas above. Have a hot dog party with different ways to top them, different ways you cook them and a variety of buns and condiments.
These 11 ideas should spice up the taste of your hot dogs and make them a lot more fun to eat for you and your family.
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