In one thing I by no means anticipated to must make clear, it is a scorching canine recipe however it isn’t a recipe for scorching canines. I do know that I’ve a historical past of creating meals from scratch that the majority sane folks don’t really feel the necessity to — cream cheese, fig newtons, bagels, vanilla extract, and [coming soon] almond extract too — however I do nonetheless depart “grinding meat with spices, salt, and curing brokers right into a easy, tremendous emulsion” earlier than being “stuffed into casings and smoked” to the specialists, often at Hebrew Nationwide.
So whereas the Smitten Kitchen’s very first scorching canine recipe isn’t a recipe for making scorching canines, phew, it’s a recipe for my favourite strategy to put together them. And on this, as with so many different issues, I’m filled with opinions.
→ Butterflied is greatest: I like my scorching canines butterflied, i.e. cut up down the middle however leaving the final bit hinged collectively, then flattened and cooked on a grill or in a pan. This technique permits the new canine to get browned and extra crisp from the within out. There are additionally structural advantages: much less rolling round because it cooks, and — that is key — higher topping assist.
→ Vinegared Iceberg: Whereas I additionally love the entire basic scorching canine toppings — yellow mustard, ketchup, minced uncooked onions — I’ve obtained two different favorites: First, I like chilly, crisp iceberg lettuce, however I prefer it a bit of pickled first, vinegared, if you’ll. My mom in-law makes pickled iceberg and I’m not going to relaxation till I persuade everybody that there’s no superior sandwich or frank topping. It provides the precise chill, crunch, and acidity I would like on a scorching day, but in addition all days.
→ Potato Chips: And for those who’re not placing crumbled potato chips in your scorching canines, it is a excellent time to begin. I first realized about this from a journey present about Venezuela* many years in the past [I’d previously only experienced potato chips wedged into a pb&j sandwich in the school lunchroom, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it], however I’ve realized it’s simply as common all through Latin America. The ultra-thin “potato sticks” kind of chip are extra widespread at ballparks, however I promise that crumbled kettle chips are wonderful right here too.
As a warmth dome descends on the jap US, I’d be remiss to not point out that for those who’re okay with skipping the Nice American Custom of cooking over scorching steel grates in triple-digit temperatures to utilize that completely good kitchen we preserve inside, you possibly can, in truth, make all components of this scorching canine recipe there. See additionally: Oven Ribs, Dry Rub Oven Rooster, Crispy Oven Pulled Pork, and each final certainly one of my slaws and potato salads. Pleased prepare dinner = pleased everybody.
* Venezuela was hit by twin earthquakes at 7.2 and seven.5 magnitude final weekend, and rescue groups are working across the clock below catastrophic circumstances to search out survivors. In the event you’d like to assist from afar, one of many Smitten Kitchen’s favourite charities, World Central Kitchen, is on the bottom serving scorching meals to impacted households and first responders, and are requesting donations to assist them attain extra folks sooner. You possibly can contribute right here.
