Cheese Dog-style American hot dog

Ingredients

To assemble

• 4 quality beef hot dogs (score the top with a knife)
• 4 soft hot dog buns
• 4 slices American cheese
• Butter, for toasting
• Optional: mustard, ketchup, diced onion, pickle relish

Method

1. Score the dogs. Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts along the length of each hot dog. Helps them cook evenly and lets the cheese melt into them.
2. Cook dogs. Heat a pan or grill. Cook the hot dogs over medium heat for 5–6 minutes, turning frequently, until they have a nice char.
3. Toast buns. Butter the cut sides. Toast in a pan until golden.
4. Melt cheese. Lay each hot dog on a slice of American cheese in the warm pan. Wait 30 seconds — the cheese melts from the residual heat.
5. Assemble. Bottom bun → hot dog (wrapped in melted cheese) → your choice of mustard, ketchup, onion, pickle. Close, serve.

Tips

• Score the hot dog first. Helps it cook evenly and the cheese melt into the cuts.
• Quality matters. Cheap hot dogs = cheap taste.
• Toast the bun in butter. Adds colour and flavour.