HOT DOG TIP :)

SIMMER Heat a pot of water until it lightly bubbles (you don't want it to boil). Add the hot dogs, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes. Remove the franks right away, or reduce the heat to very low--do that and you can keep dogs in the pot for several hours, such as for a party.

EXTRA TIP Add halved garlic cloves, fresh herbs, chopped onion or whole spices to the water---or even replace the water with beer. That helps flavor the hot dogs.

(Source: All you magazine & Ball Park frank photo in magazine, courtesy of JIM & EVANA)