Bacon + cheese = memorably tasty hot dogs
Memorial Day is first and foremost a day to honor all those who have served our country. We don’t know them all but we owe them all. Bands across the country will march and play “America the Beautiful.” Crowds will gather to stand on the curbside and wave the flag as the band goes by and just reflect for a moment on what that means.
The day is yours to celebrate with family and friends and to usher in the unofficial start of summer. That means the backyard grill will be blazing, and on it, your favorite picnic foods.
If you are going to serve hot dogs, this is the way to have them, according to my father-in-law, and you will not be able to have just one. You have been warned. These can either be grilled or oven-baked.
DAD’S BACON-WRAPPED CHEESE-STUFFED HOT DOGS
6 all-beef hot dogs
12 thick slices sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small strips
12 slices bacon Toothpicks
6 toasted hot dog buns
With a small knife, cut a lengthwise slit about ¾ of the way through each hot dog — do not cut all the way through to the end. Insert two pieces of cheese into the slits, pressing the cheese in tightly. Starting at one end of the hot dog, wrap two strips of bacon around each hot dog, overlapping the slices. Secure with toothpicks.
Preheat a grill to mediumhigh heat. Place the hot dogs over indirect heat and grill on one side for 4 minutes or until bacon is crispy and cooked through. Use tongs to turn the hot dogs on the other side and cook until bacon is crispy. Remove toothpicks and serve hot dogs on the toasted buns with relish, ketchup and mustard, if desired.
To bake, place hot dogs on a broiler pan and place in a 400-degree preheated oven; bake about 12 to 15 minutes or until bacon is crispy.
Makes six servings.