Christmas comes early for fans of pigs in blankets
WIDELY-REPORTED fears of a pigs in blankets shortage this Christmas appear not to have impacted a Bristol restaurant – which is launching a pop-up solely dedicated to the savoury treats.
In what it calls a “world-first”, Wapping Wharf-based Pigsty will have a meaty menu of dishes made only with the baconwrapped sausage.
Supply chain issues that have left gaps on supermarket shelves this autumn led to warnings last month that there could be a shortage of sausages and bacon this Christmas.
But fans of the favourite Christmas essential can expect to pig out on sweet and savoury Christmas classics with a porky twist, such as ‘PIBfiteroles’ and ‘Bucks PIBzz’.
As well as in Pigsty at Cargo, restaurant owners The Jolly Hog sell their award-winning British outdoor-bred sausages and bacon – including their extremely popular pigs in blankets – at supermarkets all over the UK.
The independent company was started by three meat-mad brothers from Bristol whose mission was to make only the best meaty delights.
Among the starters and mains at the three-day pigs in blankets pop-up are a ‘PIB Cocktail’ (a take on the prawn and thousand island dressed dish), Mince PIB Pies (a throwback to the original meaty recipe served in the early Middle Ages) and ‘Festive Fondue’, a baked Camembert served with piles of pigs in blankets for dipping.
There’s even a savoury Christmas Dinner Trifle containing layers of creamy mash, cranberrysoaked brioche and pigs in blankets.
Those who have a sweet tooth can try dessert options such as PIBfiteroles bursting with bacon jam and warm candy bacon and apple ‘Hognuts’ topped with a miniature version of the bacon and sausage side.
And to wash it all down, diners can sip on bacon-spiked cocktails garnished with yet more pigs in blankets. The restaurant will serve twists on cocktails usually favoured on Christmas morning, such as ‘Bucks PIBzz’ and the ‘Bloody Percy’.
If you want to try the limitededition menu, you will have to be quick. The pop-up will be open for just three days in December.
Olly Kohn, from The Jolly Hog, said: “We love hearing how much our customers love our pigs in blankets, and we thought it was high time these porky treats get the attention they deserve in the run-up to Christmas. Something so delicious shouldn’t be relegated to the side of a plate of turkey and sprouts.
“As well as being packed with PIBs, our chefs have made sure every item on the menu tastes as banging as our bangers, because our customers are used to getting the best!”
The Jolly Hog was launched in 2007 by three brothers – a rugby player, a ship broker and a cabinet maker – with a passion for creating the best porky delights.
Pigsty is at 1-2 Gaol Ferry Steps, Bristol, BS1 6WE.
The PIB pop-up will open Friday December 3 (5pm-9pm), Saturday December 4 (12pm-4pm and 5pm-9pm) and Sunday, December 5 (11am-4pm).