Vegan Pigs in a Gluten Free Blanket - Post 7

As a child, I would get so excited when my Mom had company over and made party fare. One of the things she would serve was cocktail franks wrapped in dough. She would also make an accompanying dipping sauce. I would always get so excited and would help her make the cocktail franks. When the party started, I would stand near them and gobble them down. I always loved hot dogs as a child. Then I became vegetarian and eventually vegan and I still wanted to eat these as a treat. I would often buy vegan hotdogs and prepackaged biscuit dough and have these as a treat. 

After I became gluten free, I learned that this no longer could be a snack for me. When I stopped feeling sad and sorry for myself, I decided to come up with a recipe. I did not need to go to the store and buy biscuit dough, I could make the dough myself. Then these wonderful wrapped dogs could be a treat again. 

Let me say, what a treat they are! When we have them, we serve them with  oven sweet potato fries and a healthy kale salad. I think that these are even better than the originals ones I had a child. I use flax seeds in the dough as the binder and it gives the dough a pretty speckled look and a rich flavor. I am very happy with the result and plan to cut of the vegan hot dogs into small pieces to serve at our next party. 

Vegan Pigs in a Gluten Free Blanket

• 2 cups of all-purpose gluten free flour (I used a brand I purchased online, but Bob's Red Mill would work)
• 1 tsp xantham gum
• 1/4 cup of tapioca flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 tsp of vegan shortening (I used Spectrum organic shortening) 
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 4 tbsp of water
• Olive oil 
• 1 package of vegan, gluten free veggie dogs (e.g. Tofu Pups)

Start by making the flax goo eggs. In a small bowl, mix the ground flax seeds with the water and let them sit for about 10 minutes. You will know they are ready when they are gooey. 

In the meantime, mix the all-purpose flour, xantham gum, tapioca flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Drop in the shortening and cut in the shortening with a fork. You should see pea size pieces form from the shortening. Add in the almond milk and flax goo eggs and mix until a sticky dough is formed. 

Set the oven to 350 degrees. Place a small amount of olive oil in a small bowl. Remove the veggie dogs from the packaging and set aside. The dough is very sticky so you will need to rub some of the olive oil on your finger tips and palm. Place a veggie dog in your hand and pick up a couple of tablespoons of dough. Form the dough around the dog and roll it in your palm to make the dough cover the dog completely. Patch up any wholes and place the covered dog on a baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the veggie dogs, making sure to place olive oil on your hand before you roll each one. 

When the dogs are finished, place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the dough is fully cooked through. Serve warm with ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce!