Having a Dutch heritage, there are certain foods and traditions that I hold to pretty proudly. Food is something we really enjoy (though, what culture doesn’t?) The Dutch are often known for their meat, potatoes, and vegetables. One of the “meat” meals that I have loved since a child has been pig-in-the-blankets.
Now let me clarify. The pigs I am talking about are not little smokies wrapped in a crescent roll. Pigs, the Dutch way, are much meatier, heartier, and tastier.
I have personally used this recipe as a fundraiser for our youth group, where they sold like hot cakes. Are they tedious? Not too bad. To make 5 dozen (which is what I do for my husband and I), it takes about 1 hour to assemble. Granted, when we did it as a fundraiser, we made 115 dozen so it took much longer, but we had a great assembly line going! The pigs freeze so well – when company is over, I just pull a dozen out and bake from frozen! I have yet to meet someone who does not like these pig-in-the-blankets. They are a must-try and a must-EAT!
Again, this recipe is what I use when I want to make some for ourselves and freeze them. If you have a Gordon Food Services store by you, you can buy a 5# bag of sausage. When I go back to my home state, I try to pick some up because it is a pretty good deal. Here is the recipe:
Dutch Pig-In-The-Blankets {Print Recipe}
Meat Crust
5 lbs. sausage 6 c. flour
5 eggs 4 T. baking powder
1 1/3 tubes Saltines, crushed 4 sticks Imperial margarine
Dash of pepper & Garlic Salt 2 c. milk
Directions for the MEAT:
1. Whisk eggs and seasonings.
2. Add sausage and crackers.
3. Mix well (I use my hands) and press into 17 ½ x 12 ½ in. pan.
4. Cover and put in refrigerator overnight (don’t HAVE to, but makes it easier to work with)
5. Cut into 60 slices (3×20).
Directions for the CRUST:
1. Mix all ingredients together (mixing bowl will be full)
2. Divide each batch into 15 balls (or 5 balls and divide into 3).
3. Roll out into a 8x8ish square. Cut into 4 smaller squares.
Bake at 375° for 30 minutes (thawed)
If frozen, bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown
After mixing meat ingredients, place on pan and cut sausage into 60 slices
Mix dough ingredients in mixing bowl. Dough should look like this after mixing.
Roll out each section into an 8×8 square
Cut into 4 equal squares
Place a sausage slice on each piece of dough
Roll up each pig and secure
Place pigs on a styrofoam tray or piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil.
Voila!
Bake at 375° for 30 minutes (thawed)
If frozen, bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown
Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think! I personally eat them with ketchup, but my husband is a mustard guy and grew up eating them with mustard. To each their own – no matter what you use (if anything), they are DELISH!
