Making homemade hot dogs involves preparing both the sausage and the bun from scratch. Here's a comprehensive recipe for both:
### Homemade Hot Dog Sausages
#### Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck (or a mix of beef )
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
- 1/2 cup crushed ice
- Natural hog casings (available at most butcher shops or online)
#### Instructions
1. **Prepare the Meat**: Cut the beef (and pork if using) into small cubes. Freeze the meat for about 30 minutes to make it easier to grind.
2. **Grind the Meat**: Using a meat grinder with a fine grind attachment, grind the meat. If you don’t have a meat grinder, you can ask your butcher to grind the meat for you.
3. **Season the Meat**: In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, and mace or nutmeg. Mix well.
4. **Add Ice**: Gradually add the crushed ice to the meat mixture, mixing continuously until the mixture is well blended and has a smooth texture.
5. **Stuff the Sausage**: Rinse the hog casings in water. Fit your sausage stuffer with a narrow tube and slide the casing onto the tube, leaving a few inches hanging off the end. Tie a knot in the end of the casing. Carefully stuff the meat mixture into the casing, being cautious not to overfill.
6. **Form the Links**: Twist the sausage at intervals to form individual hot dog links. You can decide on the length based on your preference.
7. **Cook the Sausages**: Poach the sausages in simmering water (about 180°F/82°C) for about 20 minutes, until fully cooked. Do not boil the water, as this can cause the casings to burst.
### Homemade Hot Dog Buns
#### Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
#### Instructions
1. **Activate the Yeast**: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until frothy.
2. **Mix the Dough**: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
3. **Knead the Dough**: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
4. **First Rise**: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. **Shape the Buns**: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a log about 6 inches long. Place the shaped buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. **Second Rise**: Cover the buns with a damp cloth and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, until doubled in size.
7. **Bake the Buns**: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the buns for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown. Let them cool on a wire rack.
### Assembling the Hot Dogs
1. **Grill or Pan-Fry the Sausages**: For extra flavor, grill the sausages over medium heat or pan-fry them until they are nicely browned.
2. **Toast the Buns**: For added texture, you can toast the hot dog buns on the grill or in a pan.
3. **Assemble the Hot Dogs**: Place a sausage in each bun and add your favorite toppings such as mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut, or cheese.
### Tips
- **Sausage Alternatives**: If you don't have the equipment to make sausages from scratch, you can use store-bought sausages and focus on making the buns.
- **Storage**: Store any leftover sausages and buns in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
- **Variations**: Experiment with different spices and herbs in the sausage mix for unique flavors.
