5 Ways to Top your Summer Hot Dog

     To celebrate National Hot Dog Day today, I've put my own twist on the traditional hot dog toppings.   In my opinion, hot dogs are THE all-time classic summer food.  I'm usually pretty simple with my hot dog topping (just a little ketchup- maybe some chili and cheese occasionally), but for a day celebrating the hot dog, I had to pull out all the stops!  So for those who are ready to be a little more adventurous with your hot dog toppings- this is for you!  You can find details on my 5 creations below along with directions and a list of toppings that you will need to assemble (top to bottom from the above photo): 1. The Pickles + Pimento Cheese Hot Dog; 2. The French Onion Hot Dog; 3. The Greek Hot Dog; 4. The Reuben Hot Dog; 5. The Taco Hot Dog.  I promise they are all super delicious and my husband and I had the hardest time deciding which was our favorite- he voted for the Greek and Pimento Cheese, while I voted for the French Onion.  But seriously the taco dog is wrapped in a cheese quesadilla so it's hard to beat too!  

xoxo

Emily

PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD   |   PICKLE RELISH   |   CHOPPED GREEN ONION

Spread a scoop of pimento cheese on top of your hotdog. Top with pickle relish and chopped green onion!

CARMELIZED ONIONS    |    GRUYERE CHEESE    |   FRENCH ONION DIP SPREAD    |   CRUSHED POTATO CHIPS

Cook onions according to these instructions.  Spread your bun with a thin layer of French Onion Dip spread.  Add your hot dog and top with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and finish with crushed potato chips.

CHOPPED CUCUMBER   |  CHERRY TOMATOES   |  DICED RED ONION   |  FETA  |  KALAMATA OLIVES   |   TZATZIKI SAUCE

Spread some Tzatziki sauce on your hot dog bun.  Add the hot dog then top with a mix of your chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and onion. Sprinkle with a few olives and some feta.

PASTRAMI   |   SWISS CHEESE   |  SAUERKRAUT   |   THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING

Warm your pastrami on both sides in a pan on low-medium heat.  Add the pastrami and swiss cheese to your bun and then add the hot dog on top, wrapping the pastrami and cheese around the hot dog.  Top with thousand island dressing and a bit of sauerkraut. 

 CHEESE QUESADILLA BUN   |  GUACAMOLE  |   PICKLED JALAPENOS  |  SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE   |   FRITOS

Follow these instructions to make your cheese quesadilla.  Wrap your finished quesadilla around your hot dog like a bun and use a toothpick to hold in place if needed.  Top with guacamole, extra shredded cheese, a few pickled jalapenos, and some crush Fritos.