Pigs in a blanket

Hot dog! Little appetizers or hors d’oeuvres that always seem to be a hit at any party or holiday gathering. Whether purchased at the supermarket or made in your kitchen these little wieners are always the first to go off the platter.

A pig in a blanket is such a cute term for a pastry wrapped hot dog. Now some call them hot dogs while others may call them little porkers, piglets, or cocktail wieners. Pigs in a blanket are also known to be called; wiener winks, kilted sausages, wild willies, worsties in deeg, devils on horsebacks or a pig in a pig.

The custom is to use mini hot dogs or wieners if you prefer. Although it has been said that; Vienna sausages or breakfast link sausages have also been used to prepare these small, flaky and delicious tidbits. For anyone wishing an alternative to pork products, there’s a beef alternative we’ll call “Cows in a Comforter”. Grocery stores now carry Hamburger Dogs in the size and shape of hot dogs (so they can be cooked on the same rollers). Just follow the recipe below and substitute the Hamburger for the classic hot dog.

Here we will use what is most common in pigs in a blanket. That is, crescent roll dough. Other variations are sometimes made with homemade dough, pancake or biscuit dough. The choice is yours so choose your wrapper that is enjoyed in your home most to bake your own pigs in a blanket snack.

In order to celebrate one aspect of agriculture the American Farm Bureau includes a date to celebrate. This day is of course, April 24th. Where people from all parts of the country and nation observe what is now called National Pigs in a Blanket Day!

Ingredients:

• 1 can of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 1 package of fully cooked cocktail wieners

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375’.
2. Grease a cookie sheet.
3. Unroll dough from crescent dinner roll package and separate into 8 triangles.
4. Cut each of the triangles in three smaller triangles. There is enough dough in the package to make 24 little pigs in a blanket.
5. Place 1 wiener or hot dog upon the shortest side of the dough triangle first.
6. Roll the dough around the little piggy.
7. Once rolled; place on greased cookie sheet with the point side facing down.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the dough around the wieners changed to a deep golden brown coloring.
9. Remove from oven and use a metal spatula to transfer the puppies onto a serving platter.
10. Now you are ready to eat and entertain your family, friends and guests.
11. Enjoy!

Suggestions:

Place a few small bowls around the platter for dipping.

• Ketchup, salsa, nacho cheese, mustard, sweet and sour sauce or even barbeque sauce to name a few will enhance the flavor and keep you dipping for more.

Of course, many like them just the way they are.

• Pigs in a blanket are always the first choice when children are present at a function.
• Etiquette reminder, especially for children-no double dipping. Others are sharing and dipping into a sauce is a pleasure for your palate.
• Shredded cheese such as Swiss, Colby Jack or even Cheddar can be sprinkled on dough before cooking for an added touch.
• Bacon can also be added prior to cooking. To include the bacon cut slices into one inch squares and place one square around each wiener before rolling the dough around it.
• Remember: you can always cheat by going to your grocers’ freezer section and purchasing a box of these delightful hors d’oeuvres but you will pay the price. Pigs in a blanket are easy to make and so much less expensive when prepared yourself.

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