How to Make the Perfect Chicago-Style Hot Dog with VIENNA SPORT PEPPERS
If you love hot dogs, you probably know that Chicago is famous for its unique and delicious style of topping them. A Chicago-style hot dog, also known as a Chicago dog or a Chicago red hot, is an all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun, loaded with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, sport peppers, and celery salt. It’s a mouthful of flavor that’s hard to resist.
But what are sport peppers, and why are they so essential for a Chicago-style hot dog? Sport peppers are small, green, pickled peppers that add a spicy crunch to the hot dog. They are usually sold in jars and can be found in some grocery stores or online. They are also known as bird peppers or tabasco peppers, and they have a medium heat level of about 10,000 to 23,000 Scoville units.
Sport peppers are not only tasty, but they also have some health benefits. They are low in calories and fat, and they contain vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, and antioxidants. They can also help boost your metabolism, reduce inflammation, and fight infections.
However, sport peppers are not very common outside of Chicago and the Midwest, so you may have trouble finding them in your local store. If that’s the case, don’t worry. You can still make a delicious Chicago-style hot dog with some alternatives that will give you a similar flavor and heat. Here are some of the best substitutes for sport peppers that you can try:
– Pickled serrano peppers: These are the closest match to sport peppers in terms of shape, size, and heat. They are also from the same capsicum annuum family of peppers and have a similar tangy taste. You can find them in some grocery stores or online, or you can make your own by pickling fresh serrano peppers in vinegar, salt, sugar, garlic, and spices.
– Pickled jalapeño peppers: These are another good option that are widely available and easy to use. They are milder than sport peppers, but they still have a nice kick and a crunchy texture. You can buy them sliced or whole in jars, or you can pickle your own fresh jalapeños. Just make sure to remove the seeds and membranes if you want less heat.
– Pickled pepperoncini: These are also known as banana peppers or Tuscan peppers, and they are popular in Italian and Greek cuisine. They are mild and sweet, with a slight bitterness and a tender skin. They are great for adding some color and crunch to your hot dog, but they won’t give you much heat. You can buy them whole or sliced in jars, or you can pickle your own fresh pepperoncini.
To make the perfect Chicago-style hot dog with any of these substitutes, you will need the following ingredients:
– 4 all-beef hot dogs
– 4 poppy seed buns
– 4 tablespoons of yellow mustard
– 4 tablespoons of sweet green pickle relish
– 4 tablespoons of chopped onion
– 8 tomato wedges
– 4 dill pickle spears
– 8 sport peppers or substitute peppers
– Celery salt to taste
Here are the steps to follow:
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and add the hot dogs. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the outside of the buns with melted butter and sprinkle poppy seeds on top. Place them on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes.
3. Place a hot dog in each bun and top with mustard, relish, onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers or substitute peppers, and celery salt. The tomato wedges should be on one side of the bun and the pickle spear on the other.
4. Enjoy your Chicago-style hot dog with a cold drink and some fries or chips.
To compare the different types of peppers that you can use for your Chicago-style hot dog, here is a table that shows their main characteristics:
| Pepper | Scoville Units | Flavor | Texture | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Peppers | 10,000 – 23,000 | Spicy, tangy | Crunchy | Some grocery stores or online |
| Pickled Serrano Peppers | 10,000 – 23,000 | Spicy, tangy | Crunchy | Some grocery stores or online |
| Pickled Jalapeño Peppers | 2,000 – 8,000 | Spicy, earthy | Crunchy | Most grocery stores or online |
| Pickled Pepperoncini | 100 – 500 | Mild, sweet, bitter | Tender | Most grocery stores or online |
As you can see, there are many options to choose from when it comes to making a Chicago-style hot dog with sport peppers or their substitutes. You can experiment with different combinations and find your favorite one. Here are some reviews from people who have tried these peppers and loved them:
– “I love sport peppers on my hot dogs. They add a nice kick and a crunchy bite. I always buy them online because they are hard to find in my area. They are worth every penny.” – John
– “I tried pickled serrano peppers as a substitute for sport peppers and they were amazing. They had the same heat and flavor as sport peppers, and they looked great on the bun. I will definitely buy them again.” – Lisa
– “I’m a fan of pickled jalapeño peppers on my hot dogs. They are not too spicy, but they still have a nice punch. They are also easy to find and cheap. I always have a jar in my fridge.” – Mike
– “I like pickled pepperoncini on my hot dogs. They are mild and sweet, and they add some color and crunch. They are also good for salads and sandwiches. I buy them in bulk because I use them a lot.” – Amy
If you want to make your own Chicago-style hot dog with sport peppers or their substitutes, you can order them online from the links below:
– VIENNA SPORT PEPPERS
– Pickled Serrano Peppers
– Pickled Jalapeño Peppers
– Pickled Pepperoncini
You can also buy the other ingredients for your hot dog from your local grocery store or online. You will need:
– All-beef hot dogs
– Poppy seed buns
– Yellow mustard
– Sweet green pickle relish
– Chopped onion
– Tomato wedges
– Dill pickle spears
– Celery salt
With these ingredients and peppers, you can make the perfect Chicago-style hot dog that will satisfy your cravings and impress your friends and family. Enjoy!
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