05/29/2023
BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS .
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Balance BBQ
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Balance BBQ is Gluten Free
Step 1: Trim Off the Tough, Woody Ends of Your Asparagus
Snap the asparagus. Take the end of the asparagus between your thumb and forefinger and bend gently until it snaps. The asparagus automatically breaks where the woody part ends and the fresh, tender asparagus begins. Ensure each spear is perfectly trimmed and no good asparagus is wasted.
Step 2: Toss the Asparagus with Olive Oil and Black Pepper
Use a generous amount of black pepper. Its flavor is dynamite with the bacon.
No salt necessary. The bacon will give the recipe all the salt it needs.
Step 3: Count Your Asparagus Spears
We’ll be making bundles of 6- 8 of asparagus total.
Depending upon the thickness of your asparagus (later-season asparagus is much thicker than early-season, for example), the number of spears in your pound of asparagus (and thus in each bundle) will vary. Some of my bundles had three skinny spears; others had two thicker ones.
Make a mental note of the rough number in each bundle. We’ll come back to this.
Why 6 - 8 Spears per Bundle?
I find that one slice of thick bacon is more than generous for a small group of spears. Having a few spears in each bundle provides a nice bacon-to-veg ratio that still tastes indulgent.
Bacon wrapped asparagus isn’t as healthy as other vegetable side dish options you could choose, but it isn’t unhealthy either. The key is moderation of the bacon.
Step 4: Wrap It
Pick up the first one. Place one end of the bacon just above the midpoint.
Wrap the bacon around the stalk so that it slightly overlaps the first end and secures it into place. Continue wrapping, working your way down the stalk until you reach the other end of the bacon.
Step 5: Choose Your Cooking Method
You can cook Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in the oven, on the grill, or on the stove.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in the oven: Arrange the bundles on a rimmed baking sheet side by side (see photo above). Bake the Bacon Wrapped Asparagus at 400 degrees F for 22 to 28 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending upon the thickness of your bacon and how tightly you wrap the spears.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus on the BBQ Grill: Prepare the bundles as directed. Secure the free end of each strip of bacon with a toothpick (this will help it stay in place when you turn the bundles). Grill over medium heat, covered, until the bacon is crisp and cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn the bundles a few times throughout so that the bacon crisps evenly on all sides (you’ll need about 3 to 4 minutes per side).
Step 4: Glaze it Up with BALANCE BBQ
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Balance BBQ. Cook the asparagus bundles as directed. While the asparagus cooks, Brush Balance BBQ over the cooked spears prior to serving.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
To Store Leftover Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: While you cannot freeze Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (the texture will not hold up), you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days. To reheat, arrange the leftover bundles on a greased baking sheet, then reheat in a 375 degree F oven until warmed through.
To Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Ahead: Prep the bundles (including wrapping them in bacon) up to 1 day in advance. Store them in your refrigerator, then cook as directed.
Dietary Notes
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is gluten free (assuming your bacon is GF).
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is keto friendly. It is also Whole30 and Paleo approved.