Dogs and Tots
I have a small confession to make. Even though I can cook a lot of pretty decent meals, my girlfriend’s absolute favorite meal that I make is hot dogs and tater tots. I actually think that she wanted to start seriously dating me because of this:
The secret to good hot dogs.
I think there are two real secrets to making fantastic hot dogs at home: First, use good dogs. I’m sorry Oscar Meyer, but you just don’t have my heart when it comes to hot dogs (although you do when it comes to jingles!) I always go with either Nathan’s or Hebrew National.
The second tip involves method. The best part of these dogs is that they are cooked on the stove until they are crispy, then baked for a few minutes in the bun which melts the cheese, crisps the bun, and brings the whole dog together.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Before we can even start with the dogs, we need to get the tater tots started.
I use normal frozen tater tots for this, but I don’t really follow the recipe. I cook them at the same temperature that most frozen tots recommend (425), but I cook them longer (40 minutes or more depending on your oven) and I spice them up A LOT.
They look pretty bland out of the bag.
Do not follow instructions bag. Unless you like bad food.
For the tots: I cook them for 20 minutes, take them out and shake them, put on about half of my spices, return to the oven for 20 more minutes, and then season with the rest of the spices.
I’ve tinkered with a bunch of seasonings over the years, and I would encourage you to play around. This is my favorite currently though.
The secret to good tater tots.
If you like your tots super crispy you may even want to cook them for another 10 minutes bringing the total cooking time to 50 minutes.
Back to the hot dogs. Start them off in a frying pan on medium high heat.
A humble start.
If they look dry, add just a bit of olive oil to the party. After about 10 minutes, they will look delicious.
Phase one. Done.
Once your dogs are done, this is what you should do. Cut up some cheese. Any cheese will do. I prefer these:
Give people a variety. Or don't.
Sorry, I didn’t have time to take a lot of photos at this point, but I think you can handle it. Put your preferred cheese in your bun, then put your dog in the bun, then put the whole package in the oven for 5 minutes. The cheese will melt and the bun will get crispy. It will be fantastic.
Let’s check in on our tots.
Beautiful babies.
They still need probably 15 minutes.
What about those dogs?
This is how you finish off hot dogs.
You can top them with whatever toppings you like. I prefer mustard or even blue cheese dressing. Again, I wasn’t able to take too many photos of the whole deal because they were eaten in like 30 seconds.
I promise if you make your dogs and tots like this from now on, you will have a bunch of new friends.
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I never would have thought of putting hot dogs in the oven–cool idea. And congrats on managing to make hot dogs and tater tots look so delicious and special. The pic of the dogs cooked in the pan (the fifth one) is especially appetizing.
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Who knew hotdogs & tots could be so divine! Thanks for reintroducing me to an old favorite.
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You better make me some of those dogs and tots, or you might get fired. :)
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Loving the pictures! And I. Want. a. Hot. Dog.
NOW.
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Wow. I never thought about pan frying hotdogs and then baking them. That's something I've got to try…right away.
T
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As one of your closest and dearest friends… I'll be expecting one of those damn dogs in the mail … PRONTO!
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I was a little skeptical about the tater tots the other night because I have never been a fan. Even in elementary school. I always passed on the tots. Your recipe has converted me… and now I am thinking that this is what I want to eat tonight!
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Um Um goood…. I love tots and dogs! A fav!
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if you fed me this, i'd probably date you too.
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Forgive my bluntness Nick, but these dogs are f****** delicious.
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Wow, I never thought to do that. My family's always just boiled them and over the years I've almost lost my taste for them. But actually pan cooking them? That sounds incredible, definitely something to try! :D:
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