Summertime means grilling time! One of the best ways to enjoy a beautiful summer day outside is to grill amazing food and spend time with family and friends. What better way to kick off summer than with a picnic themed party with an unexpected twist on summertime favorites?

Hot dogs have always been one of my favorite things to cook on the grill. There is something so nostalgic about a grilled hot dog in the summer, and I remember it being the highlight of our family cookouts when I was growing up. A plain hot dog on a bun used to be my favorite, but as an adult I love to use the hot dog as a vehicle for a number of different toppings. For my picnic themed summer kick off party I wanted to showcase some fun and different ways to adorn the hot dogs.

Coleslaw is one of my summertime favorites as well, so I created the “coleslaw dog,” which combines cool coleslaw and the savory hot dog. My recipe for coleslaw is tangy, slightly sweet, and surprisingly light, which adds a nice bright flavor to a hot dog. Alternatively, if you want to keep the hot dog kosher you can easily use a dairy-free sour cream substitute. (The combination of the franks and these toppings may not be kosher.) You can find my coleslaw recipe at the end of the post.

The next hot dog I put together for the party is one I like to call the “simple” style! This one is dedicated to my mom who only likes ketchup on her hot dog. I love it because the flavors of the hot dog really get to shine, and it’s perfect for those picky eaters.

The combination of pickles and hot dogs is perfection! If you haven’t tried it, then now is the time. The “pickle dog” has a briny, yet herbaceous flavor from the pickles as well as a crunch that adds nice texture to the hot dog. I recommend dill or something herb based, not sweet like bread and butter pickles.

Then there is the “traditional” style. This hot dog has the flavors classically loved by many: onions, ketchup, and mustard.

I know there are a lot of hardcore hot dog eaters who swear that a little mustard is the only thing you need, and I don’t disagree! I love having a perfectly grilled hot dog with good quality mustard, and a nice cold drink! The “mustard dog” is summertime perfection.

To make this summer kick off party really special, I grilled up a bunch of hot dogs and brought out all of my favorite ingredients so that everyone can try out something new.

I also made my recipe for potato salad. This is not your ordinary potato salad packed with mayo and celery! This one is rich from sour cream, tangy from lemon juice, and has a perfect roasted flavor from the potatoes. This new take on an old classic will be your new favorite side dish (recipe here)

Corn on the cob is another summer essential, and since this was the kick off to summer I simply grilled some up! All I do is coat the cobs with olive oil and place them directly on the grill. After about 3-4 minutes on one side I rotate it, and cook on all the other sides until cooked through with beautiful grill marks. They only need to be finished off with a sprinkle of salt.

Lastly, we had to wash all this great food down with a refreshing drink. My recipe for homemade lavender lemonade will not disappoint! It can be made alcoholic by adding in a little vodka. (recipe here)

Homemade lemonade and classic summertime food, with the volume turned out, will make your summer kick off party the perfect beginning to a perfect summer.

What makes a Hebrew National kosher hot dog premium? It's all about what makes the cut (And what doesn't). We're choosy about what goes into our franks – we use only premium cuts of 100% kosher beef from the front half of the cow and then choose the best from that. No artificial flavors, colors, fillers or by-products. When your hot dog is Kosher, that's a hot dog you can trust! For more summer fun with Hebrew National, visit facebook.com/ hebrewnational.

Summer Kick Off Cookout With Hebrew National Hot Dogs

Author:

Maria Provenzano

Ingredients

3 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
3 cups thinly sliced purple cabbage
2-3 tablespoons scallions; thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds; optional
salt and pepper to taste
**Fresh herbs also make a great addition; I like parsley or cilantro!**

Instructions

*Thinly slice the green and purple cabbage and place in a large bowl; toss together
*Thinly slice the scallions and toss with the cabbage
*In a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice, sour cream, honey, and poppy seeds
*Add a little salt and pepper to the mixture
*Pour over the cabbage and toss together
*Adjust salt and pepper to taste
*Add in the fresh herbs if using

print the recipe

Summer Kick Off Cookout With Hebrew National Hot Dogs