CHEESE BLANKET RECIPES

Steps:

• Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Stir vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and 1 cup water in a medium pot. Add figs and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until figs are softened and liquid has almost evaporated and is a syrupy consistency, 7–10 minutes. Transfer figs to a plate; let cool.
• Beat egg with 1 Tbsp. water in a small bowl. If using a 14-ounce package with 1 sheet of pastry, roll pastry to an 18x12" rectangle on a lightly floured surface. If using a 17-ounce package with 2 sheets of pastry, roll each sheet to a 12x9" rectangle. Cut pastry along the 12" side into 12 (1-inch-wide) strips. Cut each strip crosswise into pieces about 4 1/2" long. You should have 48 (4 1/2x1") strips pastry.
• Scoop a heaping 1/2 tsp. cheese and press into cut side of 1 fig half. Place fig half in the center of 1 pastry strip. Brush 1 end of pastry with egg wash and roll to enclose. Transfer seam side down to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining cheese, figs, and pastry. Brush top of each pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds, if using. Bake pastries, rotating and switching sheets top to bottom halfway through, until golden brown and puffed, 15–18 minutes.
• Figs can be cooked 2 days ahead; cover and chill.

Steps:

• To prepare the pigs, preheat oven to 425°. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray. 
• Roll pizza dough into an 11x17-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pizza dough into 42 even strips, stretching each dough strip slightly using your fingertips. Tightly wrap each cocktail frank horizontally with 1 dough strip. Place wrapped franks onto prepared baking sheet. 
• Bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large stockpot; add baking soda and honey to pan, stirring until dissolved. Add 5 to 6 wrapped franks to water; cook 20 to 30 seconds. Return franks to baking sheet using a slotted spoon. Repeat procedure until all franks have been boiled. Arrange franks 1 inch apart on baking sheet.
• Whisk together egg and half-and-half in a small bowl. Whisk together poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried onions, dried garlic, and salt in a shallow bowl. Lightly brush the dough of each frank with egg mixture using a pastry brush; gently roll each in the poppy seed mixture, returning to baking sheet as they are coated. 
• Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned; cool  5 to 10 minutes on sheet. Gently transfer to a platter using a spatula. Serve with cream cheese dip. 
• To prepare the dip, place softened cream cheese in a medium bowl; beat with an electric mixer until fluffy. With the mixer at low speed, mix in the buttermilk and remaining ingredients (through pepper) until smooth.