It does not take a treasure hunt to find a good hot dog in the United States.
There is something for everyone, from hot dog stands to gourmet hot dog restaurants. Plus, when we have an occasion to celebrate or get everyone together for a cookout, you can bet that hot dogs will be on the menu.
However, while we may do hot dogs well, that is not to say that other countries have not impressed with their approach.
Brazil is one country that has taken the hot dog and given it some pizzaz, loading it with heaps of toppings that will give you a true explosion of flavor.
What is added to a Brazilian hot dog?
In this part of the world, Cachooro quente is an on-the-go meal that is filled with indulgence, taking toppings to the extreme. If you are like Betty White and you prefer a naked hot dog, this definitely won’t be for you. But if you’re the sort of person that orders a pizza that’s covered in lots of different toppings, you’ll want to find out more about the Brazilian hot dog.
This recipe sees Vienna-style frankfurts cooked in a tomato-based sauce and then placed inside a bun.
But this is not any old bun. No, no!
This is a bun that is lined with mashed potatoes. You then have any number of toppings placed on the top. There are really no limits.
Some of the different toppings you are likely to see include:
- Shredded carrots
- Peas and corn
- Onions and peppers
- A quail egg
- Parmesan cheese
- Ground beef
- Cilantro
- Diced ham
- Potato sticks
What is a Vienna frankfurter?
This is your typical frankfurter. In Vienna, they are simply known as frankfurters. However, in Germany, where they sell a wide range of sausages and frankfurters, they call them Vienna.
Hot dogs can differ from region to region in Brazil
As explained, there are many different toppings that the people of Brazil like to enjoy on their hot dogs. Plus, there can be some differences depending on where you are.
For example, quail eggs are a popular optional extra in Vitoria. The option to line your bread bun with mashed potatoes is something that’s very much a hit in Sao Paulo. So, you will certainly have different quirks and takes on the Brazilian hot dog trend depending on where in the world you are.
However, one thing that seems to be a must-have addition across Brazil is the addition of potato sticks. Do note that these are shoestring potato sticks, so they’re very crunchy. The ones in Brazil, in particular, are thin, adding a truly wonderful texture to the hot dog.
They are known as ‘batata palha’ in Portuguese.
Prepare for a messy eating experience
A word of warning: there’s no “polite” way of eating a Brazilian hot dog. With all of the toppings mentioned above, you can imagine that they are a bit of a challenge to eat. If you purchase a Brazilian hot dog from a vendor, they will be wrapped in some sort of paper, holding everything together so that you can eat it.
If you are making your own Brazilian hot dogs, you can follow the above approach, using some tin foil or something of this nature to keep everything together. The other option is to use a knife and fork.
Do they sell Brazilian hot dogs in the United States?
Sadly, we’re yet to see the Brazilian hot dog make its way into mainstream American dining, just lke the Korean corn dog has.
However, this does not mean it won’t in the future. With such a tasty hot dog, with lots of toppings that make it Instagrammable, we are sure we will see more and more Brazilian hot dogs across the United States in the future.
You can find traditional cochorros in a few places on the East Coast, such as Love Dog Hot Dog Buffet and Hot Doogy. So, if this is convenient for you or you are visiting these areas in the future, you may want to give them a try to see what their cochorros are all about.
However, your best option at this point is to make them yourself.
What do Brazilians drink with their Brazilian hot dog?
We usually have a cold beer with a hot dog in the United States.
In Brazil, they don’t like to do things by halves, as you can tell by the toppings on their hot dogs. So, it may not come as a surprise to learn that they team their hot dogs with something a bit stronger; the cachaça.
Brazilians produce around 800 million liters of cachaça every single year. This is a drink that is made using fermented sugarcane. You can either have it as part of a cocktail, such as the popular Caipirinha, or it can be enjoyed straight. The choice is yours.
This drink is incredibly refreshing when mixed with some lime juice and a little bit of sugar. It has a subtle spice to it, adding the perfect finishing note.
Time to enjoy hot dogs like the Brazilians do
So there you have it: an insight into Brazilian hot dogs. If you are someone who is not afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations and textures, this is definitely the hot dog for you.
The great thing about it is you do not need to follow any sort of rule. You can have as many toppings as you wish.
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