LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2024

Take a Bath One of the best ways to cook a hot dog is in a beer bath—it plumps it up and tames the salt. Empty 1 can (473 to 500 mL) lager per 4 franks into a sauce pan that fits them snuggly. Bring to a boil while skimming and discarding foam. Add dogs and lower heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 4 minutes, cover and remove from heat—they’ll stay hot while you prepare the buns and toppings.

•••••••••• Top Dog

To find the best franks, we put a bunch of brands to the test. Here are the winning wieners. All-Beef VG Meats Jumbo Beef Hot Dogs, 8/504 g, $11.49, vgfarmtocity.ca Juicy and deftly spiced with a perfect snap, these are hard to beat.

Poultry Butterball Turkey Franks, 8/450 g, $5.99, loblaws.ca

In sync with the brand, these are fat and uncommonly moist for turkey-based dogs.

Plant-Based Lightlife Smart Dogs, 8/340 g, $5.99, metro.ca These faux franks are the closest vegans will get to a true hot dog experience.

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That’s a Wrap To double down on the carnivorous expe rience, try wrapping your next hot dog in bacon. First prick the dogs all over with a toothpick, then boil for 4 minutes. Drain, dry and wrap each with a bacon slice in a spiral so the bacon ends align on the same side. With bacon ends down, insert two toothpicks top down without going through bottom at either end. Place in a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes.

Remove toothpicks. Cook, turning often, until well-browned, about 8 minutes more.

FOOD STYLING BY LINDSAY GUSCOTT; PROP STYLING BY ANDREA McCRINDLE

FOOD & DRINK SUMMER 2024 71