Crispy Baked Asparagus wrapped in Bacon

Deciding on side dishes for the big day can be difficult – more often than not you will be catering for a larger number of people than usual, hob space will be at a premium so to have your greens bake away in the oven will be a serious load off your back!

Prep them in the morning and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to pop them in the oven – or enjoy them as a meal by themselves!

I recommend a bundle of 5 per person.

20 small asparagus spears (makes 2 bundles)
4 slices of streaky (canadian) bacon
1 tbsp of Garlic & Chilli Oil
Cracked black pepper

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200°c / 392°F.
Snap off the bottom ends of the spears using your hands, bundle them into piles of 5.
Take each bundle and wrap a piece of the bacon around it so that it is secure.- If preparing them in advance stop here and refrigerate.
Coat a baking tray with half of the oil, place the asparagus bundles on the tray, season with black pepper and drizzle the remaining oil on top of them.
Baking in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the asparagus is nice and crispy and the bacon is fully cooked.
I cooked mine for 10 minutes, flipped them; cooked them for a further 10 and then flipped them again for a further 5 mins a side.
Serve and enjoy either as part of a Christmas feast or by themselves!