What goes hand-in-hand with baseball games? You guessed it right: hot dogs. Like oatmeals and milk, hot dogs and ball games are a genuine American ‘couple’ with a rich and exciting history. Whether you call them red hots, wieners, or franks, you likely appreciate the concept of sausage served in a bun. This delicacy was culturally imported from Germany in the 20th century. Over the years, it has grown in leaps and bounds to become a popular working-class street food in the US. While most of us love to top our hot dogs with mustard and ketchup, you can still get creative and try new recipes. Put the mustard back in the pantry and try any of these six ways to enjoy your hot dog sandwich.
1. Microwave the Hot Dog
Hot dog season peaks up during the summer – and with good reasons! Hot dogs taste better when prepared over the grill. And even though hot dogs are cheap and super easy to prepare, you still need to know how to prepare them perfectly. For example, cooking a hot dog in the microwave is fast and takes less than a minute. And while many Americans talk ill of microwaved hot dogs, you can still make them taste better if you know the trick. So, what’s the trick? A paper towel. Yes, it’s that simple. Wrap your hot dog in a paper towel before putting it in your microwave. Next, set the timer to 30 seconds at 80 percent power. Wrapping it in a paper towel retains the steam: This ensures you have a juicy and plump dog.
2. Get the Toppings Grilling
If you love grilling your hot dogs, ensure you grill the toppings too. But doing this will alter the taste, you might say. No. Far from this, grilling adds a jazzy smoky depth that ordinary condiments can’t reach. In addition to this, grill slices of onions and avocado and use them as a relish. Ears of corn can also make a great relish, so choose what works for you. Or use pineapple to prepare a combination that mimics Hawaiian pizza. Tasty!
3. Remember the Condiments
You have a fresh hot dog stuffed into a well-rounded, stout bun and filled up with your toppings, but something else is missing. You guessed it right, condiments! This is the missing piece from the puzzle that will guarantee you a perfect hot dog. So, what are the best condiments? Of course, mustard wins it on this one. Can you imagine a hot dog without mustard? Don’t; it isn’t enjoyable. Try and experiment with different kinds of mustard. Whether it’s spicy brown, dijon, or even yellow, choose what works best for you. What’s more, you can make your honey mustard at home.
4. Add Some Cheese and Mashed Potatoes
Summer is more than just attending pool parties or even eating fries and chips. The heart of summer is deeply engraved in hot dogs. And not just any hot dogs but hot dogs topped with mashed potatoes. This is a well-hidden secret among hot dog enthusiasts, and who knows, it could be your best favorite hot dog recipe. Add some mashed potatoes to your hot dog to create some twist to the old conventional hot dog recipe. Start by warming your hot dogs and buns however much you like. Next, load up the mashed potatoes and sprinkle the delicacy with cheese. Finally, bake them until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
5. Wrap Them in Bacon
This is where you want to stick to the old saying,” everything’s great with bacon.” Hot dogs are no exception to this rule. Cover your hot dog in a strip of bacon and secure both ends with toothpicks. Next, grill evenly until the bacon is well cooked, and the hot dog is warmed through. Just remember to remove the toothpicks before enjoying your delicacy.
6. Go the Seattle Way
Seattle hot dogs are a tasty mash-up of bagel and hot dogs. A never-ending debate about the origin of Seattle hot dogs is synonymous with most Americans. Some say it originates from a bagel cart that started selling hot dogs. Now, away from the debates and history. For the Seattle hot dog, the dogs are cut open and seared. Next, they’re served with cream cheese and sauteed scallions, and onions. If your mouth is already watering just by reading this, imagine if you tried it. Go for it!
There you have it! If you are a hot dog enthusiast or want to become one, try the tips above. No matter how you prepare your hot dogs, you’ll love the ideas compiled above. While this post isn’t meant to be exhaustive, you can still try some hot dog ideas by searching the internet. You can also follow your food vloggers on YouTube for more ideas. Whatever you do, don’t forget to make your hot dog spicy!
