Whistle Dogs

By Mariealicerayner @MarieRynr
   
When I was a child it was a real treat to eat out in a restaurant.  It wasn't something which happened very often actually.  I could probably count on one hand the number of times we ate out.  When we did we always wanted hotdogs and french fries.   Whistle dogs from the A&W were a real treat!  Of course that was back in the dark ages when you ordered your meal from a car and it was brought to you on a tray that hung off your car window.  Yes . . .  I am that old!  Sigh . . .

 What is a whistle dog?   It's a hotdog stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon!  The ultimate indulgence!

Little kids love them.  BIG kids love them . . .  crisp bacon wrapped around a cheese stuffed hot dog and friend, then served in a toasty bun with fried onions.  Who wouldn't love them?? What's not to like???

I like mustard and relish on mine . . . and a touch of barbeque sauce.   I buy my sweet pickle relish online. It's not something you can find readily in the shops here, but I am thinking a chutney would go very nicely as well.   My prefered mustard is the Newman's Own Hotdog Mustard, which is sweet and smokey and a bit spicy!  No matter what you choose to garnish yours with, I guarantee you will love these!

They're not pretty . . .  but beauty is highly overrated I think.  It's taste that counts!  And these be mighty good.
 
  *Whistle Dogs*
Makes 6Printable Recipe  


Cheese stuffed hot dogs, wrapped in bacon and fried.  Good stuff!
a bit of oil for fryinga knob of butter1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced6 hog dogs3 pieces of string cheese, cut in half lengthwise6 slices of streaky bacon12 tooth picks6 hot dog buns, split and toastedyour desired garnishes(ie ketchup, relish, pickle, mustard, mayo, barbeque sauce, etc.
 whatever floats your hotdog boat)  

Place a large saute pan over medium heat.   Add the knob of butter and your onions to the pan along with a pinch of salt.   Cook the onions, tossing them in the butter over low heat until they are golden brown.   Remove and keep warm.  Wipe your pan out and set it back on the stove.
Cut slices into the hotdogs lengthwise without cutting them all the way through, kind of like a book which opens up.  Place one length of string cheese in the center of each.  Secure one end of the streaky bacon to one end of each hot dog, then wrap it around the rest of the hotdog securing it with another toothpick at the other end.  Repeat with each hot dog.
Heat a bit of oil in the skillet until hot.  Add the hotdogs, about 3 at a time, and fry them for three to five minutes perside, until the bacon is crisp.   Drain on paper towels.  Remove the toothpicks.  Divide the cooked onions amongst the hot dog buns.  Top each with a hot dog.   Serve with desired garnishes.