What if we made it differently?

So tonight was pigs in a blanket night. Blech. I had to work late, so I would not be cooking, nor would I be able to sit at the table for dinner with my family. I remember the last time my family had pigs in a blanket for dinner, I posted a recipe redo from Evette Rios. I found another one in one of my cook books, so I figured I'd post it here, for all of you who do like pigs in blankets.

Pigs in a blanket
Nonstick cooking spray (optional)
1 pound (about 30) mini hot dogs
1/3 C slivered cheddar cheese (optional)
About 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour, for rolling out the puff pastry
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half of a 17.3 oz or so package), thawed according to package directions
1 large egg
Finely grated Parmesan cheese, or poppy or sesame seeds (optional), for sprinkling
Brown spicy mustard and ketchup, for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.

2. If you are using the cheese, make a slit down the middle of each hot dog, being careful not to cut all the way through. Tuck a few pieces of cheese into each hot dog.

3. Lightly flour a work surface and place the thawed puff pastry on top. Most puff pastry comes folded in thirds, which is very helpful; cut it down the seams or, if there are no seams, cut it crosswise into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece out until it is a bit thinner, trying to maintain the squared off lines of the rectangle. Cut each piece of puff pastry into strips about 1 inch by 3 inches.

4. Beat the egg and 2 tsp of water in a small bowl.

5. Place a mini hot dog on the narrow end of one puff pastry so that it seals itself. Place the pig in a blanket on the prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining hot dogs and puff pastry strips, arranging the pigs in blankets on the baking sheet at least 1 inch a part. Brush the tops of the pigs in blankets with the egg wash and sprinkle them with Parmesan or poppy or sesame seeds, if using. At this point it is helpful (but not necessary) to place the baking sheet in the fridge and let chill for 15 to 30 minutes so the pastry will puff up a bit more when it bakes.

6. Bake the pigs in blankets until they are puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving with mustard and ketchup.

Cooking tip: Pepperidge Farm puff pastry, comes in packages with 2 sheets. This recipe calls for one of the sheets, and you can defrost it and tuck the other back in the freezer for another day, or you can double the recipe if you are cooking for a crowd.

Get the kids involved: Let the kids wrap the pigs in blankets. Puff pastry is pretty forgiving as far as doughs go. No matter how strangely patched together the puff pastry might look before it goes into the oven, when they come out, they have magically formed themselves into an attractive fluffy, puffy wrapper. The kids can also help sprinkle the grated cheese or the poppy or sesame seeds before you put the wrapped dogs into the oven.

Enjoy