I got an email from a reader this week asking for a little help. Seems he's invited to a pool party this weekend and everyone invited is required to bring a homemade "snack". Not a main dish. Not dessert. A snack. (I'm assuming they want finger food that's easy to eat without having knives and forks around the pool.)

He's never cooked before. And there's going to be a lot of single women there he'd like to impress. But the dish has to be easy.

No problem. The recipe I'm going to suggest is Pigs in Blankets. Before you mock the choice let me tell you I have made this version for every party I have either thrown or been invited to, and it's not because it's the only thing I know how to make, it's because everyone requests that I bring it. Constantly. So I have to make it. Constantly.

It only takes a few minutes to prepare and bakes for about 13 minutes. Quick, easy and people love them. Here's how to do it:
Pigs in Blankets
You'll need:
1/2 package Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies (These have great flavor, and taste much better than regular mini hot dogs.)
1 package Pillsbury Crescent rolls (They bake up more flaky and buttery than biscuits or pizza dough. And they are lighter. You can also use the Extra Butter, or the Garlic and Butter flavor for variety.)
Cheddar cheese slices (Optional.)
Makes 16

Pop open the Crescent rolls. Lay the dough out on a baking sheet. You'll notice it's precut into eight triangles. Cut each triangle in half. Lay a Lit'l Smokie on each triangle and wrap the dough around it, making sure to seal the dough well. (As an option you can put a small piece of cheddar cheese on top of the Smokie before you wrap the dough around it.) Arrange the wrapped Smokies on the baking sheet and bake according to the Crescent roll directions. In about 13 minutes you'll have hot, flaky Pigs in Blankets you can serve with a variety of dipping sauces. I usually eat them with spicy mustard, but you can bring honey mustard, ketchup, sweet and sour sauce, barbecue sauce... whatever you think your guests will like.

[Note: Over the next few weeks I'll post several other easy recipes for summer get togethers. Appetizers, main dishes, desserts. Stuff you can bring to the pool parties and barbecues. You're welcome.]