imageI die quietly and go to heaven every time I eat these… I eagerly await asparagus season every year, I can’t get enough of it. This is one of my favourite ways to eat asparagus although, as my Hubby quite rightly points out, anything wrapped in bacon is a winner!  I’ve made these bundles of deliciousness as a side dish, as a pass around ‘nibble’ when there’s visitors around for dinner.  Time to fess up:  I’ve even had a big plate of it  on it’s own as a meal (told you I love it). They are fun to make – and there’s not much to it! Get in quick – asparagus season finishes far too quickly!

Ingredients
X1 bundle of asparagus
Streaky bacon (enough bacon so there is one slice for every two spears of asparagus) – I used seven slices of Hellers Streaky Bacon
Spray oil (I used Olive Oil spray)
Salt and pepper
½ C fresh finely grated parmesan cheese

Dipping sauce (optional)
¼ c mayonnaise (I used Best Foods)
Juice and zest of half a lemon or lime
1 tsp chopped parsley or coriander
1/8 tsp chilli flakes
½ tsp honey (this balances out the citrus nicely)

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (normal bake). Line a small roasting dish/baking slice tin with baking paper.
Step 2: Break/cut the woody ends of the asparagus then spray with olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 3: Get two asparagus spears and wrap them up in a slice of bacon.
Step 3: Dunk bundles in finely grated cheese (you just need the asparagus lightly covered in cheese) and place in your roasting dish.
Step 4: Pop in the oven for 20-25 minutes (or until golden brown). Turn half way through.
Step 5: Eat – and try not to scoff the lot in one sitting. Serve with a dipping sauce if you like – though these are pretty darn good on their own!

image
Dunk in finely grated parmesan…
image
Pop ’em in a roasting dish and bake ’em