"Pigs" in a blanket

Tis the season for parties filled with cheese & crackers, cookies, and pigs in a blanket. Ok, well maybe pigs in a blanket are not a "Christmas" appetizer. but they are usually a big hit at parties. For the past couple years, on Christmas Eve, I have been making pigs in a blanket. My friend's mom showed us her recipe a few years back and they have been a hit! I have changed the recipe around to be a bit healthier, which is difficult to do with the high fat and high sodium dogs wrapped around a buttery, processed croissant.
This month's Recipe Redux theme is to turn to page 16 or 216 in any cook book. I turned to page 16 in Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible. The recipe was "Two Little Piggies in a Blanket" filled with bacon, crescent rolls, cocktail wieners, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. I made a few small switches to cut out the fat and preparation time.
Switches:

• Removed the bacon (to cut down the fat)
• Used turkey wieners- instead of cocktail wieners (to cut down the fat) 
• Created a mustard mix to eliminated the ketchup (to remove added sugar from ketchup)
• Used a lower calorie crescent roll (to cut down calories and fat)
• Added spices and Parmesan cheese for additional flavor

"Pigs" in a Blanket (redo from Paula Deen's)

 

Serves: 40 piggies

Ingredients:

• 1 package of turkey wieners
• 1 package of reduced fat crescent rolls
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
2. Slice the dough into 1/2 inch thick strips and 3 pieces lengthwise (3 wieners for each strip)
3. Add wieners to cheese and spice mixture, wrap each in one piece of the dough. Place rolls onto baking sheet, 2 inches apart. * Bake until golden, about 12 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, mix the whole grain mustard and Dijon mustard for a dipping sauce.
5. Enjoy!

* Paula made a great idea: make these pigs ahead of time and freeze on a tray. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container. Freeze for a few months and bake frozen. This cuts down preparation right before the party! 

 

  

 

 

  

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!