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Chicago Dog Panzanella

Chicago Dog Panzanella: A Summery Twist on a Classic Dish

A vibrant Chicago Dog Panzanella salad that combines classic hot dog flavors with fresh summer veggies.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 4 pieces Poppy Seed Hot Dog Buns Substitute with regular hot dog buns if necessary.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Use extra virgin for better flavor.
  • 4 pieces Chicago-Style Beef Hot Dogs Substitute with turkey or vegetarian hot dogs as needed.
  • 2 cups Vine-Ripened Tomato Common alternatives include Roma or cherry tomatoes.
  • 1 cup Celery Including leaves; can be substituted with cucumber.
  • 4 spears Dill Pickle Spears Sweet pickles can be used as a sweeter substitute.
  • 1 medium White Onion Red onion can be a milder alternative.
  • 1/2 cup Sport Peppers Substitute with banana peppers or pepperoncini if unavailable.
For the Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Dill Pickle Juice
  • 2 tablespoons Yellow Mustard Other mustard varieties can provide different taste profiles.
  • 1 tablespoon Grated Onion/Shallot Can be omitted if not available.
  • 1 tablespoon Poppy Seeds Substitute sesame seeds if desired.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Celery Salt Regular salt can be used with a sprinkle of fresh celery.
  • to taste Salt & Pepper Basic seasonings.
  • 1/4 cup Sweet Pickle Relish Omit for a less sweet profile.

Equipment

  • Oven
  • grill
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • measuring cup

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicago Dog Panzanella
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the poppy seed hot dog buns into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the bun cubes, tossing to coat them evenly. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until they are crispy and lightly golden brown; let them cool completely.
  2. While the bread cools, heat a grill pan over medium heat. Place the Chicago-style beef hot dogs onto the hot grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until they are nicely charred and heated through. Once done, remove the hot dogs from the grill and slice them diagonally into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, sliced hot dogs, diced vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped celery (with leaves), dill pickle spears, diced white onion, and sport peppers. Gently toss all the ingredients together until the mixture is well distributed.
  4. In a measuring cup, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, dill pickle juice, yellow mustard, grated onion, poppy seeds, celery salt, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Make sure the dressing is smooth and well-blended, then pour it over the salad mixture, ensuring everything is well coated.
  5. Before serving, add the sweet pickle relish on top of the salad for an extra burst of flavor. Give your Chicago Dog Panzanella a final gentle toss to incorporate the relish, then serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Use ripe, vine-ripened tomatoes for the best flavor; dress the salad just before serving to keep the bread crunchy. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to one day for optimal freshness.

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