Recipes For Picky Eaters: Hot Dogs Cooked Three Ways

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming eBook, The Picky Eater’s Cookbook. This isn’t so much a recipe as it is a guide for preparing hot dogs to different tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 package of hot dogs, your brand of choice
• 1 package of hot dog rolls (optional)
• Condiments to taste

Directions

Do not boil the hot dogs. Unless you only like boiled hot dogs, this is the quickest way to ruin the flavor and boil away what few nutrients they have.

Method 1: Hot Dogs on the Outdoor Grill

This is, by far, my favorite way to eat hot dogs. We’re quite partial to Hebrew National Reduced Fat Hot Dogs or Ball Park Fat Free Hot Dogs. (To be fair, we really prefer Nathan’s Hot Dogs, but they have no fat free variety, and we’re trying to avoid the fat!)

Cooking hot dogs outside on the grill adds a lot of extra flavor, especially if you use charcoal or wood chips. Be sure to turn your hot dogs often so they cook evenly on all sides.

Method 2: Hot Dogs on the Indoor Grill

If the weather isn’t cooperating, or if you live in a location where outdoor grilling isn’t an option, the next best thing is to grill your hot dogs indoors. We’re on a first name basis with our indoor grill – we call him George.

The great thing about George is that he cooks on two sides at once. Of course, since hot dogs are round, they still need to be nudged every so often to get them to cook all the way around. And we still get the tasty grill marks!

Method 3: Hot Dogs in the Microwave

Last, but not least, you can always cook your hot dogs in the microwave. We have to do this for TJ, who contends that grill marks mean that the hot dogs are “dirty.” He refuses to eat them if there are grill marks. You don’t get the extra flavor you get when grilling, but you also don’t lose flavor like you do by boiling them.

When microwaving your hot dogs, be sure to poke many holes on all sides of them. If you don’t do this, your hot dogs can (and will) explode while cooking. You’re not going to have to replace your microwave if this happens, but it is not going to be fun to clean up. Poking holes in your hot dogs will allow the steam to escape without the need for an explosion. Even after you’ve poked the holes in your hot dogs, never leave them unattended in the microwave. If you hear hissing and sputtering, they’re done.

Serving Suggestions

There are many ways to eat hot dogs. Tom and I like to eat our hot dogs with rolls. And melted American cheese. TJ likes his without a roll, occasionally with ketchup, but most often not. You can set up a hot dog bar to accommodate your family’s tastes. Recommended toppings include ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, melted cheese, bacon, chili, grilled onions, chopped raw onions, and whatever else you find tasty!

Photo credit: Mike Johnson – TheBusyBrain.com

Christina Gleason (976 Posts)

That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.