Spring Asparagus Bundles Recipes

BACON-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 ̊. Place a rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Cut each strip of bacon in half lengthwise. Divide the asparagus into 10 bunches and wind half a bacon strip around each bunch. Drizzle the asparagus bundles with the olive oil, gently turning to make sure the tips are well coated.
• Arrange the asparagus bundles on the prepared rack. Season with the salt and a few grinds of pepper. Brush the bacon with the maple syrup.
• Roast until the asparagus is tender and the bacon is crispy and caramelized, 30 to 35 minutes.

BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven, if using, to 400 degrees F.
• Lightly coat asparagus spears in extra-virgin olive oil. Season the asparagus with black pepper. Take a quick count of the spear tips. Divide the total number by four. Gather that number of spears and use a slice of bacon to wrap the bundle and secure the spears together. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• To grill, place bundles on hot grill and cover. Cook 10 to 12 minutes until bacon is crisp and asparagus bundles are tender.
• For oven preparation, place bundles on slotted broiler pan. Bake 12 minutes.

ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Divide the asparagus spears into 12 bundles. Carefully wrap 1 piece of bacon around each bundle, starting about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the tips. Secure the bacon-wrapped spears with a toothpick. Lay the bundles in a low-sided casserole dish. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, soy sauce, garlic salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Pour the hot sugar mixture over the asparagus bundles. Transfer the dish to the oven and roast until the spears have begun to wilt and the bacon looks fully cooked, about 25 minutes. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

SPRING VEGETABLE BUNDLES

Steps:

• Trim both ends of onions; cut the green tops into 7-in. lengths. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add onion tops; boil for 1 minute or until softened. Drain and immediately place onion tops in ice water. Drain and pat dry. Chop white portions of onions and set aside., Divide asparagus, peppers and carrots into 12 bundles. Top each with a thyme sprig. Tie each bundle with a blanched onion top., In a large skillet, combine the wine, chopped onions and vegetable bundles. Bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender and liquid is reduced by two-thirds. , Carefully remove bundles with a slotted spoon to a serving plate. Add butter to skillet, cook and stir until melted. Serve with bundles.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Steps:

• To make the seasoned bread crumbs, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the garlic and sauté briefly until pale gold. Add the bread crumbs, season with salt and pepper, and lower the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bread crumbs are toasted, about 3 minutes. Pour into a small bowl and add the parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan. Toss well. (The crumbs keep, tightly sealed and refrigerated, for several days.)
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a shallow baking dish that is long enough to hold the asparagus. Toss the cooled asparagus with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the asparagus into 4 equal bundles. Arrange 2 slices of the prosciutto on a work surface so they slightly overlap each other. Place an asparagus bundle on top and roll up carefully in the prosciutto. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. Flatten the top of each bundle slightly and sprinkle with one-fourth of the seasoned bread crumbs.
• Roast in the oven until heated through and crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve at once.