Asparagus the Family Favorite

Yes, I realize that I am a food freak.

But really, if you have never tried another recipe of mine,

you should try this one.

Well, if you are an asparagus fan.

I am still bringing out recipes I tried during the snow storm.

Here is another one.

Asparagus Rolantina

Do you love that name?

First, trim the asparagus spears.

To do this, just pick up a spear by both ends and bend until it snaps.

Where it snaps is where you cut.

That way you are left with only tender bits and no tough ends.

Yeah!

Boil the trimmed spears for about 3-4 minutes. 

This recipe is really fun, because you get to roll everything up in bacon and cheese.

(The original recipe calls for prosciutto ham,

which would be delicious, but I always have bacon, so I substituted.) 

I cut the bacon pieces in half.

Layer bacon, Swiss cheese, and asparagus spears.

I found that working on the diagonal worked the best.

Secure with a toothpick and your bundle is complete. 

Now you have these cute little asparagus bundles.

Veggies in a pig blanket.

(That is cracking me up.)

And the ever lovely pour shot.

Butter.

You know it. 

Bread crumbs over all. 

Place the dish in the oven to brown those bread crumbs. 

Toasty and good.

We were scrambling the next night to eat this left-over.

That is a real sign of success at my house. 

I found the recipe at Allrecipes.com

http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?WithTerm=asparagus+rolantina&SearchIn=All

Now for my issues with this recipe.

I usually try to make a recipe the first time according to the directions.

(Okay, I don't always, but I try.)

For this dish, I would add the bread crumbs, much less bread crumbs, then the butter.

The amount of crumbs made it too dry and all the good butter was under neath, so it took a long time to get that pretty toasty brown color on top.

So, I'm just saying, that's how I will do it next time.

Be creative, do it however you like.

2hipchick's Version of Asparagus Rolantina 

1 lb fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

8 slices Swiss cheese

4 slices partially cooked bacon, not crisp

Black pepper, to taste

4 T. butter, melted

1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Boil asparagus until slightly tender, 3-4 minutes. 

Layer bacon, then cheese slice then 3-4 asparagus spears and sprinkle with black pepper.  Roll everything up and secure roll with a toothpick.  Place rolls in a casserole dish.  Sprinkle bread crumbs over all or down the middle, then pour melted butter over all.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until bread crumbs are brown and bacon has cooked through.

Really you have to try this.  It is delicious!