Name: Cachorro Quente Brasileiro
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 hot dogs
Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients: 8 hot dog buns; 8 good-quality hot dog sausages; 2 tablespoons oil; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups crushed tomatoes or tomato passata; 1/2 cup water; 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon ketchup, optional; 1 cup corn kernels, drained if canned; 1 cup peas, drained if canned; 2 cups prepared mashed potatoes, optional; 1 cup batata palha; 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan-style cheese; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, optional

Question 1

What toppings go on a Cachorro Quente Brasileiro?

Accepted Answer

A Cachorro Quente Brasileiro is topped with a sausage simmered in tomato sauce, corn, peas, batata palha, finely grated parmesan-style cheese, and optional parsley. Mashed potatoes are optional but common in Sao Paulo, where they help hold the sauce inside the soft bun.

Question 2

How do I keep Brazilian hot dogs from getting soggy?

Accepted Answer

Thicken the Brazilian hot dog tomato sauce before assembling. Simmer crushed tomatoes, water, salt, pepper, mustard, and optional ketchup for 8 to 10 minutes, until a spoon dragged through the pan leaves a line. Warm buns gently so they bend without cracking.

Question 3

How long should I simmer the sausages for Cachorro Quente Brasileiro?

Accepted Answer

Simmer the hot dog sausages gently in the tomato sauce for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until they are heated through and coated in sauce. Use a gentle simmer instead of a hard boil, because aggressive boiling can split the sausage skins and make the sauce greasy.

Question 4

Can I make Brazilian hot dog sauce ahead of time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Make the Brazilian hot dog tomato sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it in a covered container. Rewarm the sauce gently before serving, then add the hot dog sausages and simmer until heated through so the sausages do not overcook.

Question 5

When should I add batata palha to Brazilian hot dogs?

Accepted Answer

Add batata palha at the last second, right before serving each Brazilian hot dog. Batata palha loses its crisp texture quickly when it sits on warm tomato sauce, so serving it at the table keeps the potato sticks crunchy under the cheese and parsley.

Question 6

Do Brazilian hot dogs need mashed potatoes?

Accepted Answer

Mashed potatoes are optional in Cachorro Quente Brasileiro, but they are very Sao Paulo-style. Spread a spoonful of soft, plain mashed potatoes inside the warm bun before adding the saucy sausage. The mashed potatoes cushion the sausage and help hold the tomato sauce in place.

Culinary Explorer

Cachorro Quente Brasileiro

Ingredients

hot dog buns

good-quality hot dog sausages

oil

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