According to a CNN report, July 4th is the number one grilling holiday, and cheeseburgers are the number one choice for the grill. I think it’s time we make some room for the all deserving Cheese Dog. Get the right hotdog, a perfectly grilled bun, the best cheese, and it becomes a strong rival of the cheeseburger. I journeyed out to Karl’s Sausage Kitchen in Peabody - a must-trip if you’ve never been. I grilled up these tender beauties, split them down the middle, loaded them with Red Witch, and topped them off with Balsamic Caramelized Onion Spread and Kozlik’s Sweet & Smokey Mustard. If I hadn’t stuffed two hotdogs in one bun, I would’ve had seconds. This July 4th, make some room on your grill for cheesy Cheese Dogs. Can’t live without your cheeseburger?  Serve the cheese dogs for an appetizer, and it’ll be a win-win! Happy 4th of July!!

Ingredients

• 4 hot dog buns

• 2 tablespoons butter*

• 4 hot dogs

• 1/2 pound Red Witch, sliced*

• Gracious Gourmet Balsamic Caramelized Onion Spread*

• Kozlik’s Sweet and Smokey Mustard*

*Items with an asterisk can be found at The Cheese Shop of Salem.

Directions

1. Butter the insides of the hot dog buns. Grill on medium-low until lightly toasted. 

2. Grill hot dogs until desired doneness. Slice the top of the hotdogs down the middle, being sure not to cut all the way through. Stuff with 3 slices of the Red Witch, close the lid of the grill and allow cheese to melt completely.  

3. Place the cheese dog in the bun and top with desired amounts of onion spread, mustard and freshly ground pepper.