Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: A Flavorful Favorite
Bacon wrapped asparagus is both popular and delicious. It works great as a side dish or an appetizer. You’ll love the mix of crispy bacon and tender asparagus. We’ll share a simple recipe that’s bound to make your mouth water.
Key Takeaways:
- Bacon wrapped asparagus is a flavorful and popular dish.
- It can be enjoyed as a side dish or appetizer.
- The combination of crispy bacon and tender asparagus makes it a favorite among many.
- This article will provide an easy bacon wrapped asparagus recipe.
- Stay tuned to learn how to make this delicious dish.
Ingredients and Preparation
Making bacon wrapped asparagus is simple. You need just a few ingredients to start. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Asparagus spears
- Bacon strips
- Butter
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Black pepper
Let’s get your roasted bacon wrapped asparagus ready with these steps:
- First, preheat your oven to 200C/400F. This makes it ready for cooking.
- Next, trim the woody ends off the asparagus. This makes sure they’re tender.
- Then, wrap each asparagus spear with bacon. Use one or two slices per spear.
- Place them on a baking sheet or wire rack.
- Drizzle with melted butter and add a bit of salt and pepper.
- You can also brush on some balsamic vinegar for extra taste.
- Finally, bake them for 18-20 minutes. You want the bacon crispy and golden.
Cooking Methods
While the oven is often chosen for cooking bacon wrapped asparagus, there are other methods to try. Each offers a unique taste.
Grilling on a preheated grill at 200°C/400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway, adds a smoky flavor. The direct grill heat crisps the bacon and smokes the asparagus nicely.
For stovetop fans, the process is simple. Just cook in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Turn them until the bacon is crispy and asparagus is tender-crisp. It’s a fast and simple method.
An air fryer offers a quick, crispy option. Preheat it to 200°C/400°F. Cook the wrapped asparagus for 7-8 minutes. The air fryer’s heat cooks it fast and evenly, making it perfectly crispy.
Explore these cooking methods to find your favorite for bacon wrapped asparagus. Grilling, stovetop, or air frying – each brings a special flavor and texture.
Variations and Additions
Make your bacon wrapped asparagus even tastier with some extra flavors.
Cheese Toppings
Give your dish a cheesy twist. Simply sprinkle parmesan, goat cheese, or mozzarella on top before serving. This melted cheese pairs perfectly with crispy bacon and tender asparagus. Together, they make a savory combination that’s very enjoyable.
Sweet and Savory Glaze
Add a sweet touch by melting some butter. Then, mix in brown sugar or honey.
Drizzle this sweet mixture over your bacon-wrapped asparagus before baking. Its caramelized flavor will enhance the dish. It creates a wonderful contrast with the savory bacon and asparagus.
Experiment with Different Meats
Don’t be afraid to try different meats in your dish.
Switch out traditional bacon for turkey bacon for a healthier choice. Or, try thinly sliced prosciutto for an Italian taste. These changes will make the dish even more exciting with every bite.
Choose your favorite variations and enjoy amazing bacon wrapped asparagus. These tasty twists are simple to make. They’re sure to impress your guests with their incredible flavors.
Storage and Reheating
Storing and reheating your crispy bacon wrapped asparagus is easy if you follow these tips:
Storage:
Got leftovers? Here’s how to keep them tasty. First, put the bacon wrapped asparagus in an airtight container. Then, place them in the fridge. They’ll stay good for up to 3 days, so you can enjoy them later on.
Freezing:
Want to save your bacon wrapped asparagus for later? Make sure they’re cool first. Then, put them in a ziplock bag. Push out all the air you can before sealing it. You can keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months. This way, you’ll always have a tasty treat ready to go.
Reheating Options:
Ready to eat your bacon wrapped asparagus again? You’ve got some choices for heating them up:
- Microwave: Quick and easy, put the bacon wrapped asparagus on a microwave-safe plate. Heat them for a bit, turning them once, until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is warm.
- Air fryer: For a crispy finish, use the air fryer. Warm it up first, then cook the asparagus inside. Check them occasionally until they’re just right.
- Oven: If you liked how they were when you first made them, use the oven. Preheat to the original temperature, put the asparagus on a baking sheet, and heat until they’re perfect.
No matter if you microwave, air fry, or oven heat, watch the asparagus close. This will keep them from getting too crispy or dry. Choose the right way to reheat for the same great taste and texture as before.
Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Bacon wrapped asparagus is great with many main dishes. Serve it as a side dish or appetizer. This mix of crispy bacon and tender asparagus fits well with any meal.
Here are some tasty bacon wrapped asparagus pairings and serving suggestions:
1. Poultry Dishes:
This dish goes well with poultry like blackened chicken or air fryer chicken. The savory bacon makes the chicken taste even better. It’s a combo that will make your mouth water.
2. Seafood Dishes:
With seafood, try bacon wrapped asparagus on the side. It’s great with air fryer salmon or shrimp. The bacon’s smokiness adds a nice touch to seafood’s light taste. This makes for a very satisfying meal.
3. Meat Dishes:
Meat fans will love bacon wrapped asparagus with their dish. It’s perfect with air fryer pork chops or stuffed meatloaf. Savory bacon and juicy meat together make for a filling meal.
4. Vegetable-Based Main Courses:
It even pairs well with veggie main courses. Try it with eggplant lasagna or cauliflower pizza crust. The bacon adds so much flavor, making veggie dishes hard to resist.
Bacon wrapped asparagus works with a lot of dishes. Feel free to mix it up and find what you like best!
Try this easy recipe with any of the pairings for a great meal. Your taste buds will be happy you did!
Soaking and Crispiness
Cleaning asparagus is often enough; soaking it to remove sand or soil might not be needed. The soaking step doesn’t greatly change how crispy your dish will be. So, if your asparagus is already clean, just wrap it in tasty bacon and start cooking.
Sometimes bacon wrapped asparagus might not turn out crispy. This could be because the asparagus spears are different sizes. For even cooking and crispiness, pick asparagus spears that are the same size.
The bacon’s thickness can also impact how crispy the dish gets. Thicker bacon might not get crispy quickly, making the asparagus less crunchy. For the best crunch, use thin bacon slices to wrap your asparagus.
Choosing fresh asparagus that are all the same size and wrapping them in thin bacon will help make the dish crispy and delicious.
Serving Suggestion:
“To add a special touch, try serving your crispy bacon wrapped asparagus with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The glaze’s sweet and sour flavors enhance the bacon’s savoriness and the asparagus’s tenderness.”
Conclusion
Bacon wrapped asparagus stands out as a crowd favorite. It mixes crispy bacon with tender asparagus for a taste sensation. You can cook it in various ways like the oven, grill, stovetop, or air fryer. This recipe lets you achieve the perfect texture and flavor balance.
The magic of this dish is its simplicity. You need only a few ingredients and an easy cooking method. This way, you can make a dish that looks good and tastes amazing. The bacon brings a savory flavor to the asparagus, making every bite enjoyable.
This dish is also versatile. It can accentuate any main course or be a great appetizer. It’s suitable for dinner parties or enhancing your daily meals. Bacon wrapped asparagus always pleases guests and family members alike.
Don’t hesitate to add this dish to your cooking skills. Create this delicious bacon wrapped asparagus for you and your loved ones. Try different ways to cook it, add your own flare, and enjoy its taste. Your taste buds will be grateful!