Asparagus Bacon Bundles Recipe 465

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Divide the asparagus spears into 8 bundles. Wrap each bundle in the middle of the spears with one piece of bacon. Place the bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bake until the bacon is fully cooked, about 25 minutes.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and stir. Cook until the mixture is golden brown and has a nutty aroma, about 1 minute. Stir in the mustard powder, onion powder, nutmeg and remaining 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the milk a little at a time and continue cooking and whisking until the mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted, then take off the heat.
• Carefully transfer the bacon bundles to a serving platter. Pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus and sprinkle with the fried onions. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Saute garlic and parsley over low heat, then set aside to steep.
• Remove ends from asparagus that are tough.
• Lay 4 stalks of asparagus in the center of each strip of bacon and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle garlic oil over each bundle.
• Wrap bacon around the stalks and secure with a toothpick.
• Place asparagus bundles on baking sheet and bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until asparagus is tender and bacon is crisp.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Add parsley, lemon peel and cheese; toss well.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to boiling. Add asparagus. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer about 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.
• Butter shallow baking dish. Toss cooled asparagus with 2 tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide asparagus into 4 equal bundles. On work surface, arrange 2 slices of the prosciutto so they slightly overlap each other. Top with 1 asparagus bundle and roll up carefully in prosciutto. Place in baking dish. Repeat with remaining prosciutto and asparagus. Flatten tops of bundles slightly; sprinkle with topping.
• Bake about 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated and crisp. Serve immediately.