Pigs in a Blanket

This ain't no fancy thing!

It's what I make the kiddos when they've got friends coming over . . .

Or when we're going to have hot dogs for dinner and there's no chili stored in the freezer . . .

Or when I need to make sure the package of hot dogs is going to stretch for multiple family members . . .

Besides, this is my freezer. I gotta do something with all of them!

Hot dogs freeze well . . . the soft cheap buns my children LOVE don't.

So this keeps me out of the store where I'll quite possibly spend money on sale steak . . .

Lets make buns!

Hot dogs like a soft, sweet rich dough so we're going to start with some warm milk. We're talking body temperature here people! Too hot and your yeast will die.

. . . and a little yeast . . . let it take a dip in it's bath until it dissolves and gets soft!

Now, an egg for richness! Eggs and color, fat, vitamins, and longevity to bread. Who doesn't like longevity?

Now for a little flour so it can start to mix a little . . .

Still pretty soupy! So I'll add a little more flour and the salt . . .

. . . and the sugar . . . Sugar and salt inhibit yeast when they're too close and personal! That's why I always add some of my flour before I add 'em.

. . . it is a hot and steamy day so I'm really having to add a lot of flour!

. . . I let it sit for awhile and after 20 minutes . . . a little more flour was necessary! Egads!

. . . okay, finger test! . . .

It's incredibly soft but it'll do! It's going to sit and rise now. I'm not worried about the egg and milk being at room temperature because the plan is to bake it and kill off anything that might start to grow. I don't let the kiddos eat any of it raw though . . .

ding, ding, ding! It is risen! Now if you're Lutheran you feel the urge to shout IT IS RISEN INDEED!

Divide the dough into pieces for each hot dog. It doesn't have to be perfect! Some people like a little less bread and others like more. It's RUSTIC!!!

To shape 'em plop down a dough . . . patty . . . blob . . . nugget?

Stick the hot dog on the middle . . .

Start to pinch around it . . .

Voila!

Let 'em rise while you preheat the oven for a good 15 minutes.

I demand at least 15 minutes of preheating for baked goods! I know your oven says it's done, but it's NOT! The minute you open that door the hot air just rushes on out. You want to wait until the heat has soaked into the walls.

Now if you're on a timeline you could put the dough around the dogs and throw them in the fridge to wait for an opportune baking time. It's all good!

Bake them till they're brown. About 20 minutes.

When they come out you can throw a small smear of butter on the buns and as they cool the beautiful crust will turn soft and tender just like kiddos like.

Or you can eat them right away and burn your mouth and enjoy a slightly crunchy crust.  These are salty, meaty, and chewy! The mildly sweet bread makes them deliciously substantial. A little mustard and you've hit all the flavor points!

Pigs in a Blanket

3-4 cups flour
1 cup warm milk
1 tsp yeast granules
1 egg
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
8-10 hot dogs

Dissolve yeast in milk. Do not use HOT milk. We're looking for under 100 deg here. Stir in the egg and one cup of the flour until you have a slippery mess. Add another cup of flour, the salt and sugar and mix together thoroughly. Add enough of the remaining flour to achieve a soft somewhat smooth dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Cover and let rest 20 minutes. Knead again and add flour until a clean finger can pat the dough without getting dirty. Allow to rise until doubled, 2-4 hours depending on the weather. Shape dough around hot dogs. Allow to rest while you preheat the oven for 15 minutes. Bake about 20 minutes. Allow to cool.