Sun’s Out, Buns Out
Dog Days Are Here Again
While planning the menu for a summer cookout, most people think of anything and everything grilled. Whether it’s chicken, hamburgers, vegetables, fruits or steaks, everything tastes a little better when grilled in the summer heat. Summer provides endless opportunities to open up the grill and barbeque, and the chance to gather with friends and family to share a meal is more valuable than ever. Hot Dogs are a classic grilled meal that most cookouts have on the table.
And why are there 10 Hot Dogs in a pack and only 8 buns? Our friends at Heinz have launched a campaign to right this wrong.
In a poll, people were asked about their favorite grilled foods, and very few responded with hot dogs. But, this is not because people dislike hot dogs. It is because people are bored of the way hot dogs are prepared. For just one way to mix it up, butterfly the Hot Dogs to maximize the grilling surface, score them in a twisting motion or make diagonal hash marks to create crispy, smoky bits all over the Dogs.
Hot Dog Recipe Ideas
Here is some inspiration for some of the best Hot Dog preparation methods to create the perfect hot dog bar and ensure the satisfaction of all of your guests.
The Famous Icelandic Hot Dog
The “Bæjarins Beztu Hot Dog Stand” is in the heart of Reykjavík, Iceland. The line for the cramped two-employee stand wraps around the block. While the Hot Dog itself is made from local Icelandic lamb, the toppings are the distinction from the traditional hot dog. At the stand, one must order the Hot Dog “Ein með öllu” or “one with everything.” The “everything” Hot Dog has Icelandic mustard, Remoulade sauce, fried onions, raw onions and ketchup. Tourists and locals alike come from far and wide to enjoy the inexpensive hot dog stacked with toppings.
To enhance the Hot Dogs this summer, whip up the Remoulade sauce and fry up some onions. Adding the sauce to your Hot Dog bar will be a unique new addition that everyone will enjoy!
BLT Dog
The BLT concept can be applied to more than the traditional bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. It makes an even better Hot Dog! While preparing the hot dog, place a crisp piece of romaine lettuce on the bottom of the Hot Dog roll. Place the Hot Dog on top of the romaine lettuce. Sprinkle bacon bits and chopped tomato on top of the Hot Dog. Instead of topping it off with mustard and ketchup, use Hellmann’s mayonnaise. This will be a perfect way to cool down on a hot day with the cool flavors of the lettuce and tomatoes paired with the salty flavors of the bacon bits and Hot Dog.
Korean Hot Dog
The Gamja Hot Dog, or the Korean Corn Dog, originates as a street food in Seoul, South Korea. In recent years, these delicious Hot Dogs have gained popularity all over Asia, Europe and in North America. The sausages are stuffed with cheese, coated and deep fried. While the Korean Hot Dogs are not prepared on the grill, they would be an excellent addition to a summer barbeque.
Chicago Hot Dog
The Chicago Style Hot Dog seems complicated because of the very specific order of toppings required to create an authentic Chicago Hot Dog. These are often enjoyed in Chicago at sports games, but the Chicago Style Hot dog can be recreated anywhere for any occasion. The toppings must be in this order — one Berks All Beef Franks, sweet green pickle relish, onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt on a poppy seed roll. The tomatoes should be nestled between the Hot Dog and the top of the bun. Place the pickle between the Hot Dog and the bottom of the bun. No ketchup allowed!
Sonora Hot Dog
This tasty Mexican-style hot dog is a perennial favorite in Arizona and the Southwest. Bacon is a highlight of these creative hot dogs — you’ll start by wrapping them in any regular bacon product. Avoid using flavored offerings like maple or applewood, as these will dramatically change the flavor.
Add cooked pinto beans to provide an authentic Mexican touch. The list of essential toppings to include are tomatoes, onions, mustard, mayonnaise and jalapeno salsa thinned out with lime juice. A yellow chili pepper on the side is an essential garnish. Serve it all on a soft bolillo bun that must be steamed — never grilled!
Hawaiian Hot Dog
For those who can’t make it to Hawaii in person, enjoying a scrumptious Hawaiian hot dog can be the next best thing. This pineapple lover’s paradise is slathered in sweet, tangy pineapple salsa and a touch of Sriracha for spice. Other ingredients include cilantro, onion, lime juice and salt.
Grill them over medium heat until grill marks appear. That’s the surefire sign that they’re cooked to perfection! Serve the finished dogs on — what else? — King’s Hawaiian Sweet Hot Dog Buns, and cover them with the rest of the ingredients, including an extra cilantro garnish.
Garlic Bread Hot Dog
Most people may not associate hot dog recipe ideas with Italian cuisine, but this one is sure to change many opinions. For those who love garlic bread with their lasagna, spaghetti or linguini, this recipe entails serving the dog inside a garlic-encrusted baguette and baking it to perfection.
A mixture of butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper provides a flavorful coating. After wrapping the baguettes around the dogs, brush the concoction onto them, place them in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 13 to 15 minutes.
Brazilian Hot Dog
Known in Brazil as the “cachorro quente,” this delicious hot dog recipe features a tantalizing tomato-based sauce that’s a far cry from ordinary ketchup — although it’s perfectly acceptable to add ketchup as an additional topping.
The beauty of this recipe is that it allows hot dog connoisseurs to select from so many topping options. Choose anything from mayonnaise and shoestring potatoes to peas, corn, lettuce, mashed potatoes and more.
Feeser’s and Berks: Hot Dog Inspiration for Your Venue
Feeser’s Food Distributors is proud to partner with Berks Foods to present these inspired hot dog recipes that are sure to be a hit at any summer corporate outing, company picnic or other outdoor events. Berks hot dogs have been a family favorite since 1933. This Reading, PA-based business, now in its third generation of family ownership, has earned a stellar reputation throughout the Mid-Atlantic region for providing high-quality products that everybody loves.
Berks now offers seven fantastic products to accommodate all the different ways to make hot dogs. These all-meat products contain no extenders or fillers, ensuring plenty of natural goodness in every bite. Feeser’s and Berks is a winning combination that will be a smash hit at any venue.
Creating the Perfect Hot Dog Bar Will Set the Tone for the Whole Summer!
Get all of the products here and more from Feeser’s, serving the Mid-Atlantic region and supplying everything but the appetite.