In - N- Out Spread

Love an In-N-Out Burger animal-style?  Love that special sauce they put on their burgers or fries animal-style?  Here's the Copycat recipe for that delicious spread.

In-N-Out Burger Spread
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons Ketchup
2 Tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp vinegar

Mix together.  Refrigerate for about an hour before serving.  It tastes just like theirs.

I have made this several times.  It is perfect on sweet potato fries, hamburgers, hot dogs, . . . whatever needs a spread.  

Homemade Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns

Want to make your own buns for your 4th of July barbecue?  These are easy and delicious.  And you can make them any size you want.  I made them little for tiny hot dogs.  You could do the same for hamburger sliders.  This recipe makes 8 regular- sized hamburger buns.  It made about 60 baby hot dog buns.  The rule of thumb is to form the dough into about the size of the hot dog or hamburger you are putting on it.  It will rise and be just the right size.

Homemade Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns

1/4 cup warm tap water
1 Tablespoon yeast

3/4 cup milk
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 large egg plus another egg separated
3 1/2 cups (or so) flour

Mix the water and yeast together in a cup and let work while you prepare the milk mixture.  In a microwave-proof measuring cup, mix the milk, butter, sugar and salt.  Microwave until warm and the butter is mostly melted.  Put the flour in a large bowl and add the milk mixture.  Put in 1 egg.  Separate another egg, saving the egg white in cup for later.  Put the yolk in the mixture.  Add the yeast mixture and mix well.  Knead for a few minutes until you have a smooth, elastic, soft dough.  Cover and let rise until double in bulk.  Punch down and knead for a minute.  Form the buns into desired size and place on a sprayed baking sheet (or use a silicone baking sheet or oven paper)  Brush the buns with the egg white mixed with a little bit of water.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.  If you prefer, you can brush them with melted butter. 
Let rise until puffy and about double.  Bake at 375 until golden brown.  The big hamburger buns will take about 15 minutes, the baby ones, only about 7 or 8 minutes. 

These little hot dogs were the hit of the party. 

Stuffed Hot Dogs

A friend brought our family this dish when we welcomed Michelle into the world.  That's a long time ago. It tasted so good to me and still brings tears when I think of the kindness displayed by so many when I really needed help.   She brought it with glazed carrots and brownies. I've made it ever since and I always serve it with glazed carrots on the side and brownies for dessert. I have tried it with hamburger patties rather than hot dogs and that's good, too.  It's pretty easy and kid friendly.  Who doesn't love a good hot dog!

1 package good quality hot dogs
Leftover mashed potatoes or you can make them- mashed potatoes (you can use those prepared ones from Costco for a really quick meal)  OR you can make instant potatoes-  So many options!
Grated cheese

Open the hot dogs by splitting the long way, but leave the two halves together.  Arrange in a 13 x 9 or similar sized sprayed casserole dish.  Top with mounds of mashed potatoes, then sprinkle with cheese. If I'm in a hurry, instead of carefully stuffing each hot dog, I just spread the potatoes over all, then put on the cheese.  Bake at 350 until it's hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted.