Choose a hot dog that is lower in fat (less than 10 g of total fat and 5 g of saturated fat) and sodium (less then 500mg). Look for light or reduced fat versions; fat-free versions usually add more sodium for flavor.
Boiling helps to plump up the hot dog and leaches out some of the salt. Most hot dog experts would say that this leaves the hot dog soggy and drags out the flavor. The second method is steaming. This helps to plump the dog and keeps it moist, but does not create a smoky grilled like flavor.
They are boiling people! They are a great alternative when you don't have the time to grill or if you simply don't have a grill to work with. And while it doesn't make them any healthier, think of the liquid as a vehicle to get even more flavor into your dogs.
Pan-searing is a flavor saver
According to The Kitchen Community, boiling your hotdogs before grilling can strip away their flavor. To keep those dogs barking, stick to just one method or the other. Wiener giant Nathan's says of boiling, "Honestly we just don't recommend it.
If you want to cook hot dogs on the stove, this is the preferred method. I don't recommend boiling hot dogs ever. Boiling takes the flavor out of the hot dog and waters them down. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat, and add a small amount of water - just enough water to cover the bottom of the frying pan.
Hot Dog Profits states that they'll get mushy and emphasizes that hot dogs should never be left in boiling water. Lacademie goes on to explain that over boiled hot dogs won't taste as good, their texture will be off, and they might even burst.
Your best bet is to cook it over indirect heat, away from the grill's hottest spot. And don't forget to poke a few holes in the dog with a fork or tip of a sharp knife. As the fat in the hot dog cooks, it emits steam. Without any means for escape, the steam will find a way: that's the tell-tale broken casing.
NxStage Kidney Care reports that you can reduce up to 60% of the sodium in hot dogs by boiling them in water for 7 minutes. One hot dog can contain more than 500 mg of sodium. A 60% reduction would bring one hot dog's sodium count down to 200 mg, a number that may work for many low sodium diets.
To make sure you get your hot dogs up to a safe temperature, WebMD urges you to microwave them for at least 75 seconds and to do so in a dish with some water in it. These temperatures have been found to safely cook the hot dog without causing any undue appliance malfunctions.
Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter has foamed and the foam has subsided, add 1 hot dog to the skillet. Sear, shifting every minute or so, until plumped and beginning to brown on each side, 3 to 4 minutes.
Hot dog calories
Your typical beef hot dog contains around 150 calories, 13 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 450 milligrams of sodium and 6 grams of protein. So, while you might not want to down a dozen, just one won't break your no-junk-food diet.
Add the water to a large saucepan and stir in the salt, if using. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat and add the hot dogs. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 4-5 minutes. (If your hot dogs are frozen, simmer for 8-10 minutes.)
Fill a large saucepan with enough water to cover hot dogs (about 1 cup per hot dog). Bring water to a boil. Add the hot dogs one at a time using tongs. Reduce the heat to the low setting and allow the hot dogs to simmer for anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes (the longer they simmer, the crispier they'll be).
Add hot dogs to the boiling water. 3. Cook on a full boil for 4-6 minutes. The hot dogs will plump up and float to the top of the water when done.
During the actual contest, the competitors dip their hot dogs and buns in water to increase lubrication, making it easier for the dogs to go down. After the eaters hurriedly chew the food, it moves to their esophagus just as it would with a normal eater.
This entails making a few cuts into two opposite sides of the hot dog before grilling. Then, when on the grill, these slits expand open, which allows the heat to reach the center of the sausage more quickly, resulting in a shorter cooking time.
Up to 80 percent of the calories in regular hot dogs come from fat, and much of it is the unhealthy saturated type. Regularly eating processed meats like hot dogs has been linked to increased risk of heart disease and colon cancer.
Avoid poking or splitting your dogs.
"Since hot dogs are usually precooked, there is no need to split them open or pierce them during the cooking process. By poking and prodding your dogs, you release the delicious juices that make them juicy," Sidoti said.
You can choose to boil your hot dog in water or beer, depending on your preference. Regardless of the your liquid choice, one refrigerated hot dog should be boiled uncovered for four to six minutes. Once it is done, remove the hot dog from the pot and place on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain the liquid.
Although hot dogs are fully cooked, those at increased risk of foodborne illness should reheat hot dogs and luncheon meat until steaming hot before eating, due to the threat of listeriosis.
Cooking 1-2 Hot Dogs in the Microwave
Wrap 1-2 hot dogs in a paper towel together. If you're just microwaving 1-2 hot dogs, then cook them for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Check after 30 seconds. They should be plumped up and hot.
Frankfurters are already cooked but it is important to reheat them until steaming hot in order to kill any bacteria that may have grown after packaging.