In one thing I by no means anticipated to must make clear, it is a sizzling canine recipe however it’s not a recipe for sizzling canines. I do know that I’ve a historical past of constructing meals from scratch that almost all 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 go away “grinding meat with spices, salt, and curing brokers right into a easy, superb emulsion” earlier than being “stuffed into casings and smoked” to the specialists, often at Hebrew Nationwide.
So whereas the Smitten Kitchen’s very first sizzling canine recipe isn’t a recipe for making sizzling canines, phew, it’s a recipe for my favourite solution to put together them. And on this, as with so many different issues, I’m filled with opinions.
→ Butterflied is finest: I like my sizzling canines butterflied, i.e. break 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 recent 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 all the basic sizzling canine toppings — yellow mustard, ketchup, minced uncooked onions — I’ve acquired two different favorites: First, I like chilly, crisp iceberg lettuce, however I prefer it slightly 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 sizzling day, but in addition all days.
→ Potato Chips: And when you’re not placing crumbled potato chips in your sizzling canines, it is a good time to start out. I first discovered 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 discovered it’s simply as well-liked all through Latin America. The ultra-thin “potato sticks” kind of chip are extra frequent at ballparks, however I promise that crumbled kettle chips are glorious right here too.
As a warmth dome descends on the jap US, I’d be remiss to not point out that when you’re okay with skipping the Nice American Custom of cooking over sizzling steel grates in triple-digit temperatures to utilize that completely good kitchen we hold inside, you’ll be able to, the truth is, make all components of this sizzling canine recipe there. See additionally: Oven Ribs, Dry Rub Oven Rooster, Crispy Oven Pulled Pork, and each final considered one of my slaws and potato salads. Completely satisfied cook dinner = pleased everybody.
* Venezuela was hit by a 4.8 magnitude earthquake final weekend, and rescue groups are working across the clock beneath catastrophic situations to seek out survivors. If you happen to’d like to assist from afar, one of many Smitten Kitchen’s favourite charities, World Central Kitchen, is on the bottom serving sizzling meals to impacted households and first responders, and are requesting donations to assist them attain extra folks quicker. You possibly can contribute right here.
