Cheesy Grilled Hot Dog Sandwich...done Your Way

Now this recipe happens to be my favorite, or "my way," but there are hundreds of combinations - toppings galore ... What not to add? I happen to love my hot dogs with onions, sauerkraut and pickles and of course yellow mustard, so this was my version, but you can make anything. I love fresh foods - but LOVE a good hot dog now and then. And feel free to use a turkey sausage or a turkey hot dog if you want, they work equally as well. Tomatoes, a variety of cheeses, pickles, sauerkraut, cabbage, peppers, onions, mustard, mayo, ketchup, chili, etc. An endless list. But what is different is ... bread vs bun; and grilled, and it gives a whole new meaning to the "Hot Dog." I saw a wonderful picture of a hot dog sandwich with cheese on the Photo Forum here on Zaar and it looked great, so I thought I would pass on my recipe. It originally was made as a mistake. One night, friends over and I was out of buns and chili, both I thought I had, so I used what I was on hand. My 3 friends loved them. And to this day I continue to make them this way. It is a bit different, but not difficult and very tasty!

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

• Hot Dogs

• 8  hot dogs, cut lengthwise
• 8  slices  rye bread
• 2  teaspoons butter (1 teaspoon to saute the onions, 1 to cook the hot dogs)

• Topping

• 1  cup sauerkraut, drained
• 1⁄3 cup  peppardew bell pepper, chopped (you can use any pepper you want, I like a bit of spice and sweet but jalapeno, cubanelle works well )
• 1  medium onion, cut in quarters and thin sliced
• 2  kosher garlic dill pickles, chopped
• 8  slices cheese (2 per sandwich, I like white cheddar but use your favorite)

• Sauce

• 4  tablespoons mayonnaise
• 4  tablespoons  yellow yellow mustard
• 1  pinch caraway seed

Directions

1. Mustard Mayo -- Just mix the mustard, mayonnaise and caraway seeds if you have them. If not mustard and mayonnaise is fine.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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!