Piggies in a healthy blanket!

My kids LOVE hot dogs.  I don't know a kid who doesn't actually.  So I try to make them hotdogs a few times a month.  Well, we made it our Thursday dinner, so I have to try and make it healthy!  Here goes!

You will need a dozen hot dogs.  I buy Great Value chicken ones.  They cost me $1.27 at the store.  Can't find them cheaper than that - lol.

Then you need to make your biscut dough!

Here is the recipe!

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 TBSP oat bran

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon white sugar

1/3 cup shortening

1 cup organic unsweetened soymilk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gradually stir in milk until dough pulls away from the side of the bowl.
2. Turn out onto a floured surface, and knead 15 to 20 times  
3. Then I put it into the fridge for a few minutes.  This is when I cook my hotdogs (I boil mine). 
4. Cut your hotdogs into pieces (I cut each one in half)
5. Take your dough out of the fridge.  Pinch off a ball and flatten gently (maybe make all your balls first to have enough for all the piggies).  Roll up around your hotdog pieces.  Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
6. Once your baking sheet is full, pop it into the oven for about 7 minutes.  Turn pan after the timer goes and put in for another 5 minutes or until "blanket" is golden.
7. Let cool

Now there are a ton of whole grains and fiber in your piggies "blanket" thanks to the whole wheat and the oat bran.  But where are the veggies???  Time to get creative!
My kids LOVE to dip their pigs into yummy ketchup and/or mustard.  What's a hotdog without ketchup and mustard anyway???  So that is where you can get creative. 

In a small bowl whisk together 1/8 cup of ketchup with 1/8 cup of sweet potato/carrot puree.  In another bowl, whisk together 1/8 cup of mustard with 1/8 cup of zuchinni/cauliflower puree.  They can dip their way into their veggies and will never know the difference!  PLUS offer carrot sticks or other veggies on the side.

Here is the approximate cost for the meal:

$1.27 for the hotdogs
$1.00 for the dough (probably over estimating)
$0.25 for the ketchup with puree
$0.25 for the mustard with puree
$1.00 for the veggies on the side

Total cost: $3.77 to feed a family of 6.  That works out to be a meer 63 cents for dinner per person.  63 cents!  What kind of dinner can you get for so little?  AND my kids swear this one is their favorite!  LOL. 

Enjoy!