Shelly's Recipe

ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Category: Asparagus

2 lbs fresh asparagus, trimmed
12 slices of bacon
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp Cajun or Creole seasoning, optional
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
10 turns of the pepper grinder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Trim the asparagus by bending the bottom half of one asparagus spear until it pops apart at the natural break. Then line up the other spears and use a knife to cut them all at the same length. Spray an oblong, glass baking pan with non stick spray. If you use a metal pan instead, you'll probably want to line it with a couple of layers of aluminum foil for easier clean up!

Divide the asparagus into 12 equal bundles. Starting about a half inch from the bottom of each bundle, wrap the bundles with the bacon, securing with toothpicks, if needed, and place the bundles into the baking pan.

In a heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, chili powder, garlic salt, and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Pour sauce all over the asparagus bundles.

Roast at 400 degrees, about 25 minutes, or just until asparagus begins to wilt, basting with the brown sugar sauce several times.

Serves 6.