Classic Grilled Cheese Hot Dog Food

GRILLED HOT DOG-CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Spread 1 bread slice with mustard. Fill bread slices with relish, Singles and wieners.
• Spread outside of sandwich with margarine.
• Cook in skillet on medium heat 3 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides.

HOT DOG GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cook the hot dogs until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Butter the outside of the hot dog buns. Place 2 slices of American cheese inside of each bun, then add a cooked hot dog. Return to the griddle and cook until the cheese is melted and the buns are nicely toasted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

CHICAGO-STYLE HOT DOG GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• To make the giardiniera, combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt. Transfer to a heatproof bowl, let cool, and then let marinate in the liquid until serving. (The giardiniera will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.)
• To make the relish, combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped and incorporated.
• To cook the hot dogs, in a saucepan, combine the beer and hot dogs and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let the hot dogs cool in the beer. On a charcoal or gas grill or a stove-top grill pan, sear the hot dogs over high heat, turning as needed, until lightly charred.
• Line up half of the bread slices on a work surface. Top each slice with 1/8 of the cheese, 3 tablespoons pickle relish, 1/2 hot dog (2 pieces), 1/4 cup drained giardiniera, 2 tomato slices, and another 1/8 of the cheese. Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices.
• Line a large platter with paper towels. In a skillet over high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Turn down the heat to low, add 1 sandwich, and cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp on both sides and the cheese is melted. Transfer to the prepared platter to blot the excess grease. Repeat with the remaining butter and sandwiches.
• Cut the sandwiches in half, plate, and serve.

CHEESY GRILLED HOT DOG SANDWICH...DONE YOUR WAY

Steps:

• Mustard Mayo -- Just mix the mustard, mayonnaise and caraway seeds if you have them. If not mustard and mayonnaise is fine.
• Topping -- In a small saute pan, add the butter, onion and peppers and saute for 4-5 minutes on medium heat until soft and tender. The last minute or two add in the sauerkraut and stir until well combined and heated through. Using a fresh vs canned sauerkraut is best, but a good canned sauerkraut will work fine. Just keep warm on the back burner.
• Hot Dogs -- As the topping cooks, make the hot dogs. I love to grill mine. Indoor grill pan is great or even just a saute pan will work. I cut them lengthwise and just cook in a little butter. Medium heat and it doesn't take more than 3-4 minutes per side. Don't burn them, you just want them lightly golden brown is all. Remove, and set to the side.
• Sandwich -- First piece of rye bread down and slather with the mustard mayonnaise sauce. Then top with 1 slice of cheese, 2 hot dogs cut to fit the sandwich; the sauerkraut, onion and pepper mix, then topped with the chopped pickles and 1 more slice of cheese. Finish with the top slice of bread also slathered with the mustard mayonnaise sauce.
• Grill -- On a hot grill pan or saute pan, add the butter and bring to medium heat. Add the sandwich, and lightly weigh down using another pan - cast iron or a regular pan topped with a few canned foods to weigh it down. Use whatever you have. Cook on medium heat until golden brown, flip and cook the other side until golden brown and the cheese is gooey and beginning to melt.
• Serve -- Cut in half and enjoy. It is an "upscale" hot dog sandwich which is just great treat. Serve with a bowl of soup or fries for an easy dinner. ENJOY!