Bacon And Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus And Mozzarella Recipes

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 PHYLLO BAKE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, uncovered, 30 seconds or just until asparagus turns bright green. Remove asparagus and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry. In a large bowl, mix eggs, cheeses and seasonings; stir in almonds and asparagus., Preheat oven to 375°. Brush a 13x9-in. baking dish with some of the butter. Unroll phyllo dough. Layer eight sheets of phyllo in prepared dish, brushing each with butter. Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent drying., Spread ricotta mixture over phyllo layers. Top with remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. Cut into 12 rectangles. Bake 50-55 minutes or until golden brown.

GEMELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, MOZZARELLA, AND BACON

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus. Cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces on the bias; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until bacon is crisp and all the fat has been rendered, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the bacon from pan, and drain on paper towels. Crumble the cooked bacon, and set aside. Remove skillet from heat.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water, and cook until al dente, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander; set aside.
• Meanwhile, discard all but 1/4 cup bacon fat, and return the skillet to medium heat. Add the asparagus and the red-pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook until the asparagus is lightly browned. Drain the pasta, and add to skillet with the crumbled bacon, and the marjoram; season with salt. Toss together until combined and heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Add the mozzarella, and toss to combine. Divide the pasta among six plates. Garnish each serving with a grind of black pepper, and serve immediately.

BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

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.

PHYLLO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS AND BOURSIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make sure phyllo is completely defrosted. Once removed from package, you will need to cover phyllo with waxed paper and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out. Lay out sheet of dough, lightly butter with pastry brush. Fold sheet in half, butter again. Keep buttering and folding in half (probably 3 "folds" total) until you have a rectangle with dimensions close to 4 by 4-inches. Cut into 3 sections. Sprinkle Parmesan on each piece of dough. Crumble a bit of brie on each. Lay asparagus tip on top and roll dough around asparagus. The tip of the asparagus should show out of the end. Repeat to make 16 pieces. Lay all pieces out on a cookie sheet. Brush each piece with butter and bake in oven until golden brown. Serve warm.

BACON AND ASPARAGUS PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Adjust oven racks to the middle of the oven. Place a cast iron pizza stone or pan in the oven to heat for 1 hour.
• Blanch asparagus 1 minute in a large pot of boiling salted water, then remove and shock in a bowl of ice water. Drain well.
• Place asparagus in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine well.
• Flour your work surface and roll the pizza dough into a 12-inch diameter. Carefully remove the cast iron pizza stone from the oven and put the dough on top.
• Ladle the sauce to cover the bottom of the pizza and top with mozzarella, red onion, bacon, and asparagus coins. Arrange the 8 whole pieces of asparagus fanned out from the center the pizza, like spokes on a bicycle.
• Bake until golden and crisp and the cheese has melted, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic slices, and red pepper flakes, and saute until the edges of the garlic begin to turn golden, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper and let simmer 15 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the torn basil. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

PHYLLO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus.
• Unwrap the phyllo and cut the stack in half lengthwise. Reserve 1 stack for later use. Cover the phyllo with a damp towel to keep it from drying out.
• Take 1 sheet of phyllo and brush lightly with some melted butter. Sprinkle with some Parmesan.
• Place 2 to 3 asparagus spears on the short end of the sheet. Roll up, jelly-roll style.
• Place each piece, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Brush with more melted butter and sprinkle with more Parmesan. Repeat until all the asparagus spears are used up.
• Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.