Hot dogs. Nothing says that it’s summertime like the sound of those wieners sizzling as they plump and develop grill marks, driving you crazy with hunger. Hot dogs are a barbecue staple that’s delicious and appropriate to serve to everyone.
But, is there a certain way to kick up the “wow” factor of the same old wiener? Is there a way to make them appear or taste more exciting?
Some people think so, and they’ve found a way to make their hot dogs look and taste more exciting: They’ve cut spirals into the length of the meat.
You’ve probably seen spiraled hot dogs at places like amusement parks, county fairs, or at your local mall. The interesting thing is, the meat is still the same. However, when those funny looking spirals are cut into the meat, then everyone wants to try this exotic version of an old standard.
Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding a spiral twist to your dogs, but you don’t see the point. The fact is, there are a few good reasons why you should add a spiral to your hot dogs:
1. The meat cooks more evenly.
Think about what a typical hot dog looks like when it’s on the grill. At first, the entire dog will start to turn dark and sweaty, but eventually, the dog starts to develop blisters. This is because certain parts of the meat are cooking faster than the rest.
When the meat is ready to come off the grill, you’ll notice that some parts are charred, while other parts are still pink and slightly under-cooked.
When you spiral the meat before you cook it, you’ll notice that blisters won’t form. The interior and the exterior of the meat will be exposed to heat, which allows for a more even cooking and flavor experience.
2. The meat will caramelize deeply.
For some, the best part of eating a hot dog is eating the crispy, caramelized parts. Imagine being able to experience that taste with every bite of your wiener? This is what will happen when more of your meat is exposed to the heat and flames of your grill.
3. The grooves accommodate chunky condiments and toppings.
Ketchup and mustard rests on top of wieners just fine, but what about condiments such as relish, onions, peppers, salsa, sauerkraut, or cole slaw?
Normally, condiments like these slide out of the bun, and on to your plate. But, after you cut spirals into your dog, you’ll see that the grooves create pockets that allow your chunky condiments to nestle into the grooves. This allows you to enjoy the full flavor experience of the condiments with every bite.
4. Spiral cut hot dogs add the fun factor to your party!
Finally, imagine everyone smiling at your spiraled hot dogs? Not only will adults get a kick out of this, kids will absolutely love it!