Chicago hot dogs

[ghoti_mhic_uait]

Having always believed I didn't like hot dogs, I still felt that when in Chicago, I ought to try a traditional Chicago hot dog. Guess what? Turns out, I do like them Chicago style!

So since we got back we've been eating hot dogs occasionally and I add mustard and celery salt to mine, which doesn't make a proper Chicago hot dog, but has the best bits. I just thought to check Ocado and it turns out that they sell dill pickles! I don't like gerkhins either, but the dill pickles, those I did like. So that's one step closer to the Chicago hot dog in my own home.

I'm not sure what a sport pepper is, any ideas? Wikipedia is less than helpful.

Comments

[areia.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure sport peppers are green, pickled Serrano peppers.

Don't forget you also need the neon green sweet pickle relish to make it a real Chicago dog. ;)

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Thankyou! Wikipedia thinks I can use picallilli, does that seem right to you?

[areia.livejournal.com]

Yes and no. What people here call piccalilli is nothing like the British variety. It's based either on chopped cucumbers (Midwest) or bell peppers (Northeast). Not a cauliflower in sight.

Since we're in the Midwest the neon relish is mostly chopped cucumbers. Here's a link to the street vendor brand of choice. I would think that you'd get pretty close with chopped sweet gherkins (or regular ones with some sugar added). I'm guessing you can skip the Blue #1. ;)

http://www.viennabeef.com/products/item.asp?PRODUCT_ID=5

Ingredients:
Cucumbers, Water, Salt, Vinegar, Sugar, Alum, Turmeric, Sodium Benzoate, Spices, Polysorbate 80, Xantham Gum, Blue No. 1

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

americansweets.co.uk carries a Hot Dog relish. I shall buy some next time I'm ordering.

[alison-lees.livejournal.com]

and there was me thinking it was the quality of the sausage that counts. But yes, what you add does make a difference.

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

I do prefer an all-beef hot dog, but I'm not sure it's quality really for me.