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FOR some strange reason, hotdogs have failed to match the popularity of the hamburgers in India. Fast food joints like the Nirula’s had tried to provide a level-playing field but didn’t succeed. Now, of course, things are changing and we have the much-hyped hotdog festivals that boast of myriad varieties that can put to shame the legendary kiosks of the Big Apple. Perhaps the round bun of the burger already familiar facilitated its easier adoption. The footlong is a variation on the hotdog theme. Long ago, there used to be a restaurant called The Cellar hidden in the basement of the Regal building in the Capital and this is where we first encountered a submarine sandwich. This was many years before the chain by the same name entered India and even before the fast food joints dishing out burgers and hotdogs had started luring the patrons with ‘footlongs’.
Substituting whole meal brown bread buns for the white maida ones goes a long way and the grilled sausage made with paneer, alu and oats, much lighter than the red or white meat, is easy to rustle up whenever the kids are back from school. Just take care that nothing is missing in terms of accompaniments — tomato ketchup, mustard, onion rings and tomato slices. The footlong can be cut into half for sharing or the right portion for tiny tots.
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Ever since, we have
displayed a remarkable weakness for the stuff. For one, the open
sandwich is transparently honest — showing all that is on offer.
Then, there is the irresistible value for money argument. The size
assures that even larger than normal appetite shall be taken care of
and, finally, like all other ‘cool’ hot dogs, this one, too, can
be grabbed as a missed meal on the run. Of course, nothing stops you
from serving this with elaborate frills formally dressed up on the
dining table. Children love hotdogs — footlong or smaller in size.
The problem is to reduce the junk on the plate and add nutritional
content keeping down the costs.