Snappy Asparagus With Bacon Food

JAPANESE BACON-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS SKEWERS

Steps:

• Wrap a strip of bacon around each piece of asparagus. Skewer these rolled pieces (about 4 per skewer) so they cover about 4 inches of skewer.
• Preheat a grill to medium-hot. Grill for about 6 minutes, turning the skewers about every 2 minutes as they brown. Don't hesitate to shift skewers as you grill, especially if you notice some skewers browning too fast over a hot spot; trade them with skewers grilling over a less hot part. The bacon will crisp up and sizzle when the skewers are ready. Squeeze lemon juice on the skewers, and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS WITH BACON SABAYON

Steps:

• Cook 4 chopped bacon strips until crisp. Drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings. Combine 4 egg yolks, 3 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and a pinch of cayenne in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water; whisk until thick, 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1 tablespoon bacon drippings, and salt to taste. Serve over steamed asparagus and top with chives and the bacon.

BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven, if using, to 400 degrees F.
• Lightly coat asparagus spears in extra-virgin olive oil. Season the asparagus with black pepper. Take a quick count of the spear tips. Divide the total number by four. Gather that number of spears and use a slice of bacon to wrap the bundle and secure the spears together. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• To grill, place bundles on hot grill and cover. Cook 10 to 12 minutes until bacon is crisp and asparagus bundles are tender.
• For oven preparation, place bundles on slotted broiler pan. Bake 12 minutes.

BACON-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Wash and trim asparagus spears.
• Cut bacon strips in half crosswise.
• Wrap one-half strip bacon around each asparagus spear, leaving tip and end exposed.
• Lay on a cookie sheet with sides.
• Bake in a preheated 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bacon is cooked.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• **Note: You may want to try my Baked Bacon recipe #187790 for 10 minutes, to avoid over cooking asparagus.

ASPARAGUS WITH BACON AND HARD-BOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning once, until browned and crisp, 5-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; let cool, then crumble.
• Meanwhile, cook asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes, depending on thickness. (If using both green and white asparagus, cook white asparagus first to keep them from turning green.) Drain and transfer to a large bowl of ice water to cool. Drain and pat dry.
• Whisk shallot, vinegar, maple syrup, and mustard in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil until emulsified, then whisk in vegetable oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Serve asparagus drizzled with vinaigrette and topped with eggs, herbs, and bacon.
• Do Ahead: Vinaigrette can be made 2 days ahead; cover and chill. Asparagus can be cooked 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.