Cheddar Dogs with Cider-Braised Leeks and Apples

Name: Cheddar Dogs with Cider-Braised Leeks and Apples
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter; 1 2 cups (generous) thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only); 1 1 apple, peeled, cored, diced; 1 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds; 1 Pinch of ground allspice; 1 Coarse kosher salt; 1 1 1/2 cups hard apple cider or 1 1/4 cups apple cider and 1/4 cup bourbon; 1 6 grilled hot dog buns or brioche-style oblong rolls; 1 Dijon mustard; 1 6 grilled all-beef hot dogs; 1 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese; 1 coarsely grated (1/2 cup packed)

From the kitchen of Carly

Grilled hot dogs topped with sharp cheddar and a sophisticated braise of leeks, apples, and caraway seeds in hard cider reduction. The sweet-savory combination turns an everyday classic into something worth slowing down for.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

12 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
12 cups (generous) thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only)
11 apple, peeled, cored, diced
11/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
1Pinch of ground allspice
1Coarse kosher salt
11 1/2 cups hard apple cider or 1 1/4 cups apple cider and 1/4 cup bourbon
16 grilled hot dog buns or brioche-style oblong rolls
1Dijon mustard
16 grilled all-beef hot dogs
12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
1coarsely grated (1/2 cup packed)

Instructions

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and apple. Cover; cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Mix in caraway and allspice; season with coarse salt and pepper. Add hard cider; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, until most of liquid is cooked away, about 16 minutes.
Arrange buns or rolls on plates. Spread each with mustard, then top with grilled hot dogs. Sprinkle dogs with cheese and top with leek mixture.