A Tale of Pigs and Sprouts

Ah, Christmas dinner- it marks the time of year where tables are piled high with tradition, nostalgia, and, of course, a dash of drama. Love them or hate them, no Christmas feast is complete without sprouts, and (of course) pigs in blankets🐷 They're without question the two standouts of festive feasting... but why have these humble sides sparked so much love and infamy over the years?

Let’s turn the page of the tasty history and heated opinions surrounding the most controversial and beloved Christmas classics to see how they’ve evolved into our newest limited-edition pies😋

🎄’Twas the night before Christmas dinner, and all through the house, something caused commotion- it was the sprouts!!🎄

For decades, nay!, generations, Brussels Sprouts have been the underdog of the festive feast, the Bah Humbug to Christmas cheer. Once upon a time, these hardy little green gems were a seasonal necessity, a British staple grown to survive the chill of winter❄️ But back in those dim and distant days, they often met a sad fate, boiled to oblivion until they were more bitter than sweet, and about as exciting as a lump of coal in your stocking!!

But lo, the humble sprout was destined for a comeback✨ Along came the brave chefs, foodies, and home cooks who saw past the mush and transformed this little green orb with a touch of oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a sizzling partnership with bacon! Roasted to a golden crisp or sautéed with smoky lardons, sprouts were finally getting their hooray moment☃️ Now, they’ve strutted back onto the festive stage, popping up in glossy cookbooks and celebrity kitchens- even making their way into sprout salads and side dishes that almost make them cool again.

We couldn’t resist giving sprouts the ultimate upgrade though, so we packed them into our Sensational Sprout Pie🌱 Imagine nutty, bacon-y sprouts in a rich, cheesy sauce, all snug in our fab golden pastry. It’s Christmas comfort food at its finest- dare we say, these sprouts are worth singing carols about!

Now, onto the mighty pig in blanket🐷 This dashing duo of sausage wrapped in bacon has had a cherished place at Christmas since the Victorian era, back when both sausage and bacon were rare treats and worthy of festive table space. At first, they were just another side, but it wasn’t long before they stole the show, becoming the stuff of legends🌟 Maybe it’s the cosy combo of sausage and bacon, or maybe it’s just seasonal magic- whatever it is, pigs in blankets are officially non-negotiable on the Christmas table!

Today, they’re so adored that we’ve seen double-wrapped pigs, mega-sized pigs, and even entire Christmas dinners that centre around these little crispy delights. And just when you thought pigs in blankets couldn’t get any better, we went ahead and turned them into a pie🥧

Yep, our Pigs in Blankets Pie brings together the best bits of Christmas dinner: juicy pigs in blankets, herby stuffing, and crispy roasted potatoes, all bundled up in our buttery shortcrust. Think of it as a Christmas present in pie form🎁 They are ...Piginn' Awesome!

For some, Christmas dinner just wouldn’t be the same without a big scoop of sprouts or an extra helping of pigs in blankets. For others, they’re better left untouched on the plate.

But we say: why not make them shine?

🎄Our limited-edition Christmas pies, the Sprout  and Pigs in Blankets pies are here to settle the debate by giving these classics a starring role 🌟

They're available to buy individually when you bung them in a Create Your Own Selection Box, or in a mixed box of 8 (4 x Sprouts, 4 x Pigs in Blankets). 

If these sides (somehow!) aren't enough for you, don't worry, we've got you covered! Our full Christmas launch has many more mouth-watering bakes that'll pad out your dinner table. Bring the pigs and sprouts to a Turkey, Ham, Brie & Cranberry pie bonanza- or pair it with an indulgent Venison & Port!

If you really can't decide, why not try our Festive Feast Box?! Bring all the festivity to your Christmas Dinner without any of that Christmas morning stress with this bad boy:

- 2 x Sensational Sprout Pies🌱
- 2 x Pigs in Blankets Pies🐷
- 2 x Venison & Port Pies🦌
- 2 x Turkey, Ham, Cranberry and Brie Pie🦃
- 2 x Pork & Cranberry Sausage rolls❄️
- 730g Christmas Cake🎂

So this year, whether you’re a sprout enthusiast or a pigs-in-blankets purist, our Christmas pies just might turn sceptics into believers. Because at the end of the day, Christmas is all about bringing people (and flavours) together, one pie at a time.