Pigs in blankets facts for kids
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Pigs in blankets, prepped but not yet cooked
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| Alternative names | Soldiers in kilts |
|---|---|
| Type | Sausage wrapped in bacon |
| Course | Side dish |
| Place of origin | UK and Ireland |
| Main ingredients | Chipolata, Cocktail sausage, hot dog or other sausage |
| 325 per 100g kcal | |
Pigs in blankets, also sometimes called kilted sausages, are a yummy dish from the United Kingdom and Ireland. They are made of small sausages, usually a type called chipolatas, wrapped in crispy bacon. These tasty bites are a very popular side dish, especially served with roast turkey during a Christmas dinner.
Contents
What Are Pigs in Blankets?
Pigs in blankets are a popular food in the United Kingdom and Ireland. They are small sausages, often chipolatas, wrapped in bacon. They are a favorite part of many Christmas dinners.
History of the Dish
The first recipes for pigs in blankets appeared in 1957. The dish became very popular in the 1990s. A famous chef named Delia Smith helped make them well-known. She included a recipe in one of her cookbooks. Around the same time, stores started selling ready-made pigs in blankets.
A Christmas Favorite
Pigs in blankets are mostly eaten during the Christmas season. You usually won't find them in stores at other times of the year. They are so popular that companies have made many products inspired by them. You can find pigs-in-blankets flavored chips, peanuts, and even pajamas with their print!
In 2019, a big supermarket called Tesco found out something interesting. Most shoppers planned to serve pigs in blankets for Christmas dinner. More people wanted them than any other side dish, even Yorkshire pudding. This shows how important they are for Christmas meals.
How They Are Made
Pigs in blankets are usually made with small pork sausages. These are often called cocktail-sized chipolatas. The sausages are wrapped in streaky bacon. Streaky bacon is thin and has strips of fat and meat.
Different Kinds
There are many ways to make pigs in blankets. Some use different types of sausages, like chorizo or chicken sausage. Others add ingredients like apples or chestnuts to the sausages. You can also find them made with full-sized chipolatas. Sometimes, the bacon is flavored or smoked.
Cooking and Serving
Once wrapped, the sausages can be cooked in different ways. They can be pan-fried until golden and crispy. They can also be baked in the oven. Sometimes, they are cooked using both methods.
Pigs in blankets are a traditional side dish for roast turkey at Christmas dinner. They are also often eaten on Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas.
Why They Are Important
Many people consider pigs in blankets a must-have for the Christmas season. Magazines like Good Housekeeping and Yahoo News have said they are a Christmas staple. Some online butchers even promote a "National Pigs in Blankets Day" every December. This shows how much people love this festive food.
Similar Dishes Around the World
Other countries have dishes that are similar to pigs in blankets.
Denmark's Pølse i Svøb
In Denmark, there is a dish called Pølse i svøb. This means "sausage in blanket." It is a bacon-wrapped sausage served in a bun. You can often buy them from hot dog stands called pølsevogne.
Austrian and German Berner Würstel
In Austria and Germany, a dish called Berner Würstel is popular. These are sausages filled with cheese and then wrapped in bacon. They are also known as Bernese sausages.
Luxembourg's Blanne Jang
Luxembourg has a dish called Blanne Jang. This is a sausage that is filled with cheese and wrapped in bacon. The sausage is scalded, which means it is briefly cooked in hot water.
Dishes with Similar Names
The name "pigs in a blanket" can be confusing because it is used for different dishes.
American Pigs in a Blanket
In the United States, "pigs in a blanket" usually means something else. It is a sausage, often a hot dog, wrapped in dough or pastry. The only thing it shares with the UK dish is the name and that both use sausages.
Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
In some parts of the US, especially where many Polish people live, "pigs in a blanket" can mean stuffed cabbage rolls. These are dishes like the Polish gołąbki, where meat and rice are wrapped in cabbage leaves.
Images for kids
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Berner Wurstel
See also
In Spanish: Pigs in blankets para niños
