What are Pigs in a Blanket?

There are a number of regional dishes which seem to qualify as pigs in a blanket, from a breakfast sausage encased in a pancake blanket to a mixture of ground pork and beef braised in a cabbage leaf wrapper. The "pigs" in pigs in a blanket vary from inexpensive Vienna sausages to top-end Polish or German dinner sausages. The blankets can be everything from packaged croissant rolls to homemade pancakes or crepes.

One common version of pigs in a blanket calls for miniature cocktail wieners or Vienna sausages and a pre-packaged biscuit or croissant dough. The raw dough is wrapped around the wieners and baked until the bread is brown and the sausages or wieners are fully cooked. These pigs in a blanket are generally served as a side dish or appetizer, although they can also be served as an informal lunch entree.

Another popular variation on the pigs in a blanket theme involves link-style breakfast sausages and traditional pancakes or crepes. The sausage is fully cooked and set aside while the pancakes or crepes are prepared. Once the pancake or crepe is done, the sausage is placed in the center and the entire dish is rolled before serving.

Some regions with a largely Slavic or eastern European population have a dish which may be called pigs in a blanket, but it does not use pastry or pancakes at all. Instead, a large steamed cabbage leaf serves as the blanket, and a mixture of ground pork, ground beef and spices serves as the pig. The meat mixture is stuffed inside the cabbage leaf and the entire package is rolled or wrapped tightly. The dish is finished by braising until the meat is fully cooked and the cabbage wrapper develops a slightly browned surface.

The popularity of homemade pigs in a blanket has inspired many fast food franchises to develop their own pancake and breakfast sausage combinations, such as the McGriddle® breakfast sandwich developed by McDonald's. The mix of sweet and savory flavors seems to work well as a one-dish breakfast or a quick but complete meal on-the-go.