Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bouquets Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bouquets
Submitted By: Michele H.
Adapted From: Dinner At The Zoo
Ingredients:
1 ½ Lbs Fresh Asparagus Spears
6 Slices of Bacon (NOT Thick Cut)
¼ Cup Butter (NOT Unsalted) - melted
1 tsp Light Brown Sugar
¼ tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper + to taste
⅛ tsp Garlic Powder
⅛ tsp Onion Powder
Smoked Sea Salt to taste - can substitute kosher or 'regular' sea salt if desired
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 400ºF
- Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease - Set aside until needed
- Snap off the bottom inch or so of the asparagus spears (the stems will naturally break where the tough woody stem ends and the tender stem begins) and set aside until needed [NOTE: You can discard the 'woody' sections OR save them for making soup stock]
- Divide the asparagus spears into 6 equal bundles
- Wrap each bundle of asparagus spears tightly with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until thoroughly combined
- Place the bundled and wrapped asparagus spears in the butter mixture and gently toss to thoroughly coat - Transfer them to the prepared baking pan and arrange with at least 1 inch of space all around each bundle - Drizzle any remaining butter mixture over the top of the arranged bundles
- Place in the top third of the oven and allow to bake until the bacon is crispy (apx 15-20 minutes)
- Remove the toothpicks and serve hot sprinkled with smoked sea salt and a couple of grinds of black pepper
