BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS BUNDLES RECIPE

Here's a quick treat, great for a party, great as a side dish, great as a snack...bacon wrapped asparagus bundles.  

Bacon and Asparagus Bundles

I missed photographing a couple of steps because I got into the preparation before 2nd Man reminded me to take pics.  

First we make a "compound butter".  We take a 1/2 cup (1 stick) of softened butter, depending on how many you are making, and mix it up with 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp onion powder and 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes (optional, if you like the heat).  You are basically making a garlic herb butter spread.  After it's mixed, we like to pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to firm it up a bit.  If you have leftover, spread on bread and broil.  

Next, cut a strip of uncooked bacon in half.  Take three pieces of fresh asparagus and cut them in half.  Place the six pieces on the bacon side by side so the bacon is in the middle to lower 1/3 of the asparagus stalk.

Take the softened herb butter and spread over the asparagus.  Lastly, roll up the bacon so that it all sort of folds over itself and the asparagus bunches up and sticks together with the butter.  

You can see that in the photos below:

Lay the bacon wrapped bundles on a foil lined baking sheet.  As the butter melts and the bacon cooks, it will mess up a pan without foil.  Place the pan into the preheated oven...

...and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until bacon starts to turn crispy on the edges (your oven may vary).  I know it looks like a hot mess here but trust me...

Asparagus and Bacon Bundles

...they are wonderful!  What happens during the process is that the butter melts out and sautés and seasons the asparagus, along with some bacon fat of course.  The asparagus is tender and crispy, and the bacon is delicious.

Enjoy!