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A Big Decadent Hot Dog

This recipe creates a decadent hot dog experience featuring caramelized onions, pan-fried jumbo hot dogs and cocktail franks, toasted buns, and a rich spread of liver mousse, finished with tangy mustard.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet For caramelizing onions and frying hot dogs
  • 1 Small Pan For melting butter for dinner rolls
  • 1 Knife For slicing onions and slashing hot dogs
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Spatula or Spoon For stirring and handling food

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 large onions thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 package hot dogs such as Hebrew National Jumbo Beef Franks
  • 1 package cocktail franks
  • 4 hot dog buns
  • 1 package hot dog buns
  • One 8-ounce package liver mousse
  • Whole grain mustard to serve
  • 1 package brown-and-serve dinner rolls

Instructions
 

  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the onions. When the onions begin to soften, add the sugar and season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to low and cover the pan. When the onions just begin to brown, remove the cover. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the onions are a dark brown color. Be careful not to let them burn. Set aside.
  • Melt 2 more tablespoons butter in same skillet over medium heat. Cut several shallow slashes across the hot dogs and add them to the pan. Fry until they are cooked through and nicely browned. Set aside and keep warm. Add the cocktail franks to the pan and fry until they are cooked through and nicely browned. Set aside and keep warm.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in another pan and set aside.
  • Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Split open the hot dog buns and toast them in the buttery juices. Spread a thin layer of mousse inside both halves of each bun. Top with a hot dog and pile on the onions. Add a few dollops of mustard and serve.
  • Split the dinner rolls down the middle and spoon on some of the melted butter. Stuff in 2 of the cocktail franks and spread on some mousse. Top with some onions and mustard and serve.

Notes

Achieving deep caramelization on the onions is crucial for this recipe's flavor depth; cook them slowly over low heat until dark brown, stirring often to prevent burning. Slashing the hot dogs before frying helps them cook more evenly and absorb flavor from the butter. Toasting the hot dog buns directly in the buttery skillet juices after frying adds significant richness and flavor to the bread. The liver mousse provides a rich, savory counterpoint to the sweet onions and tangy mustard; ensure it's spreadable. Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the hot dogs/franks to ensure proper browning.