There's no doubt hot dogs are associated with summer sports, picnics and backyard BBQs -- enjoyed by kids and grownups alike. They're totally tied to good times. While there are countless ways to make a dog, from boiling on the stovetop to a simple grilling. There's pork or beef or veggie dogs and sausages, too. And there's an assortment of buns. But the ultimate hot dog, the main prize, is one that is crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle parts. To maximize crisp, spiralize the hot dog before cooking to ensure all parts of the meat get charred with plenty of grooves to carry classic condiments and creative toppings. 

HERE'S HOW:

To spiralize the dogs, place a skewer through the centre of the dog vertically, end to end. Holding the stick part, angle the hot dog down so the tip of it touches your counter. Place a paring knife at the tip. Hold it at a 90 degree angle and start twirling making a spiral cut running up the dog's sides, careful not to cut all the way through to the skewer. Gently slide off the dog and repeat for the remaining hot dogs. For indoors, place in a lightly oiled cast iron pan on medium-high heat. For outdoors, place directly on high grill. Cook until crisp on all sides, turning occasionally for a couple of minutes until they begin to char. Serve with your favourite condiments and toppings.

INSPIRED BY FOOD52.COM