Tail-Chasing Dogs with Kraut and Apples

4 hot dogs
1 cup apple juice
2 cups sauerkraut
1 large, unpeeled Red Delicious apple, cored
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns

Slit hot dogs 4 to 5 times on the diagonal, cutting about 3/4 of the way through.

Bring apple juice to a simmer in a large skillet; add hot dogs. Cook until hot dogs curl, about 5 minutes. Remove hot dogs.

Bring apple juice back to simmer; add sauerkraut and heat until juice is absorbed.

Meanwhile, cut four medium horizontal slices from center of apple and set aside. Grate remaining apple pieces into heated sauerkraut; stir to blend. Set hot dogs on top of kraut mixture to stay warm.

Place 1 apple slice on bottom of hamburger buns. Set hot dogs on apple slices and top with apple/kraut mixture.

Serves 4.

Note: You can replace the apple juice with beer and substitute chopped pickled peppers for apples.

Copyright 1997, The Associated Press