Pigs-in-a-Blanket

United Kingdom Version

United States of America Version

April 24: National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day

Both the British and Americans go “hog wild” over sausage-wrapped appetizers! The bacon-wrapped style is a tasty traditional Christmas treat in the United Kingdom and the dough-covered style is a favorite finger food in the United States. Highlander and Islander like to serve both types of pigs-in-a-blanket together to give others a variety of appetizer selections. We don’t discriminate our dishes—we provide equal opportunity for people to “pork out!”

Recipe

UK Style

• 1 package of chipolatas (pork sausages)
• 1 package of bacon strips

Directions

Carefully peel off the sausage skin/casing. Optional: Cut the sausages and bacon strips in half. Wrap the bacon around the sausage. Refrigerate until firm. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top to let the bacon fat drip below it. Arrange the pigs-in-a-blanket on the wire rack. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until the sausages are browned and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Arrange on a plate and serve.

USA Style

• 1 package of hot dogs, cut in half
• 1 package of puff pastry dough, thawed
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water

Directions

Dry the hot dogs on paper towels and set aside. Unfold the puff pastry dough and cut into thirds (nine squares). Place a hot dog in the center of the dough. Wrap it around the hot dog, carefully stretching the dough if necessary, and pinch the edges to seal.

With the seam side down, place each on a foil-lined, lightly greased baking sheet. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until the dough has firmed up. Brush the tops of the pigs-in-a-blanket with the egg wash. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 25-20 minutes or until the dough becomes puffed up and golden.

Notes

• We buy frozen chipolatas at a local British imports store. Check specialty markets if these little piggies are available. Breakfast sausage links can be substituted.
• Puff pastry dough can be found in the freezer section of the grocery store. Canned biscuit or crescent dough may be used instead of puff pastry dough. Unroll from the can and flatten to about ¼ inch thick before wrapping around the hot dogs.
• Serve the pigs-in-a-blanket with mustard, ketchup or barbecue sauce.