Bacon Wrapped Asparagus...

Last week I had the good fortune to attend the bridal shower of a bonafide foodie. It was an over-the-top shower thrown by two of the most creative women I know...let me give you an example...they had a a waffle and bacon "chandelier" over the table and a fresh fruit curtain at the entrance to the kitchen!! Along with the beautiful gifts the bride to be received, and the amazing food, there was a competition of sorts...an "Iron Chef" competition and yours truly was on the winning team! I was paired up with two women I didn't know...however both were geniuses in the kitchen! There were four teams and each team was given a basket with 5 items in it, which we had to use. We were also able to add in other ingredients that were in the pantry/fridge and we added a bit of apple juice. Our basket had thick cut bacon, dates, coconut, asparagus and Parmesan cheese. We knew immediately what we wanted to do...we made a paste with the dates, spread it on the bacon, sprinkled coconut on top and wrapped it all around the asparagus spears. When they were broiled to perfection we have them a light sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. I can't remember what the other teams did...although their food looked beautiful...but our creation was awarded the prize as the best of them all!! I would have jumped for joy but I was so stuffed I couldn't get off the ground even if I'd been hooked to a hundred helium balloons!

While I liked our creation a lot - I felt that it could be a bit sweeter...so once back in my own kitchen, I began to tinker - I exchanged the dates for raisins, which were pureed with orange juice, coconut and brown sugar...then slathered this mixture on regular cut bacon (thick cut bacon took too long to cook, almost burning the asparagus) then wrapped the bacon around fresh, thin, asparagus. I baked/broiled the spears for about 10 minutes, turning frequently, and when they came out of the oven, caramelized, with crisp-tender asparagus, well, it was like candy...veggie candy...and one of the best appetizers I've ever had! No WONDER we won!!

• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - Pots and Pins (Inspired by/with Wendy Hanson and Megan Leavitt)
• 6 pieces bacon (regular thickness, do not use thick cut)
• 12 asparagus spears, rinsed and dried, with ends snapped off
• 1/2 cup coconut
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a food processor or blender, combine coconut, raisins, and brown sugar. Add in 2 tablespoons of orange juice and puree to make a paste; add in additional tablespoon if needed, and process until smooth. Cut bacon in half, (it tends to stretch a bit as it's pulled off into individual pieces and you don't want to overlap the bacon as you wrap the spear) and spread each piece of bacon with some of the pureed mixture, covering evenly. Wrap one piece of bacon around an asparagus spear (again, don't overlap bacon!) and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in 450 degree oven for 10 minutes, then put under the broiler and broil until bacon is cooked through and crisp, turning frequently, and watching carefully so it doesn't burn, about 3 to 4 minutes. Allow to cool until able to handle, serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 12.

"When you're in my house you shall do as I do and believe who I believe in. So Bart, butter your bacon." ~ Homer Simpson

One year ago: Italian Chicken Vegetable Soup

Two years ago: Dutch Baby

Three years ago: Hair, Depression and My Oven