Coney sauce
is a topping that is typically served atop hot dogs to make Coney dogs. It has a ground beef and tomato base and is often mixed with chopped onions or mustard. Coney sauce is a regional dish that is named for Coney Island in New York, but variations of the sauce are served in other areas.
Preparation
Traditional Coney sauce is similar to ground beef chili, but with a thinner texture. Choose beef that is ground very thin and fine. If possible, purchase beef labeled "triple grind" meaning it's been ground very finely. As you cook the beef, break it up even further because you want the smallest pieces possible. Use chopped onion to add into the beef or save time and use dried minced onion flakes. If you use dried onion, reduce the amount because the flavor is much more concentrated. Flavor the sauce with tomato paste, mustard, chili powder and Worcestershire sauce to get that traditional Coney taste. The longer you let the Coney sauce cook, the better it will taste, so heat it for at least 30 minutes or up to three hours.
Serving
Coney sauce may resemble chili, but it too thin to eat alone. It is typically served on hot dogs with onions and cheese. Choose white onions to accompany the Coney sauce because yellow or red onions have a stronger taste that may overpower the flavors of the sauce. Use a finely shredded mild cheddar cheese and only add a light layer to enhance the Coney sauce without covering it up. A sharp cheddar or a cheese sauce will obscure the Coney sauce. You can also make Coney fries by adding the same Coney sauce, onion and cheese mixture to French fries.
Storage
Store any extra sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also make a large batch and freeze it for a future time. Let the sauce cool to room temperature. If you try to freeze it when it's still hot, the steam will add too much moisture to the sauce and make it runny when you defrost it. Pour the sauce into plastic freezer storage bags. If you only use a small portion of sauce at a time, add it to several quart size freezer bags. However, if you plan to use a large amount at once, pour it into a gallon size freezer bag. Squeeze out all the extra air before you seal the bags, then lay them flat on your freezer shelf. The flat position takes up less room and helps it freeze evenly. When you want to use the sauce, place the bag on your refrigerator shelf until it thaws completely, then heat in the microwave or in a pan over the stove until it's warm.
Tags: Coney sauce, Coney sauce, also make, cheddar cheese, ground beef
