Putting on the dog: Fancy hot dog shapes & designs (1970)
by Maida Heatter
Hot dogs cut in fancy shapes turn plain food into party fare — and fun! Try putting the dog on such compatibles as macaroni and cheese, cabbage, or this creamy potato salad served with a tomato half filled with pickle relish, plus carrot curls, romaine leaves and black olives.
(Read from left to right, in a Z pattern)
Hot dog design 1: Diamond
Score the top of the hot dog deeply — about halfway through the dog, using a crosshatch design.
Hot dog design 2: Spikes
Cut the hot dog three-quarters of the way through, down the middle. Cross with vertical cuts, also only three-quarters of the way through the hot dog.
Hot dog design 3: Palm tree
Cut three slices through the board (all the way through the hot dog), leaving one inch on the end uncut.
Hot dog design 4: Zig-Zag
Cut through to the board down one side. Make cuts on the opposite side between the first ones.
Hot dog design 5: Spirals
Cut the hot dog in long quarters, making four separate strips.
Hot dog design 6: Snake
Cut through to the board on half of each side of the hot dog, leaving the opposite side uncut.
Fancy hot dog shapes: Step-by-step how-to hot dog diagrams
More fun ways to enjoy hot dog shapes & stuffed franks
Cheese-stuffed hot dog
Slit each hot dog lengthwise, but don’t cut through. Insert bits of sharp cheddar cheese. Wrap in a strip of partially-cooked bacon and fasten with a toothpick. Grill slowly to allow bacon to cook and cheese to melt.
Horseshoe dog
Cut hot dogs at intervals of not quite 1/4 inch, and not all the way through. Cook. Fill the center with baked beans and serve with a buttered bun on the side.
Sauerkraut-filled franks (1961)
Dress up hot dogs with a creamy chive garnish. Moisten sauerkraut with sour cream to taste. Cut 10 deep slits across frankfurter without cutting all the way through. Grill about five minutes. Serve on toasted hamburger buns with kraut sprinkled with chopped chives.
Cheese-striped franks
8-10 hot dogs
4 slices cheese, cut into half-inch strips
3/4 cup chili sauce
8-10 hot dog buns, split and toasted
Split hot dogs lengthwise, but not clear through. Insert two strips of cheese in the pocket of each frank. Spoon one tablespoon of chili sauce between the cheese strips. Grill split side up for five minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly. Serve in a toasted bun.
Meet Frankie Doodle Dandy
Sitting on a blanket of American cheese, he rides on a toasted English [muffin]… Make Frankie Doodle Dandy by splitting Swift Premium Franks. Dip into boiling water until “arms & legs” spread. Build sandwich and top with frank. Wrap in foil and grill 10 minutes. Decorate as pictured.
