Bacon Wrapped Maple Parmesan Asparagus Bundles

Ingredients:

1/2 cup maple-flavored syrup
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 lbs fresh asparagus, washed, ends chopped off
8 slices thick-cut bacon
3 tbs grated parmesan

8 toothpicks
Casserole dish
Baking rack
Baking sheet

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

To a small pot over medium low heat, add maple-flavored syrup, butter, salt, and pepper and bring to a light boil, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.

Split asparagus stalks into 8 groups. Wrap bacon slices around grouped asparagus stalks, starting about 1/2 inch from the bottom, and secure bacon slice with toothpick. Transfer bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles to casserole dish.

Pour syrup mixture into casserole dish atop bundled asparagus and sprinkle half of grated parmesan (~10g) on top. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

While asparagus bundles cook in oven, place baking rack atop a foil-lined line baking sheet.

Remove casserole dish from oven and transfer baked bundles to prepared baking rack (rotating them so the side that was baked down is now up), turn on oven broiler, and broil until bacon is crispy, about 1-2 minutes.

Remove baking sheet from oven, remove toothpicks from bundles, sprinkle remaining grated parmesan on top, and allow to cool slightly prior to serving.

Servings: 8

Nutritional Information: Calories: 257, Fat: 23.1g, Carbohydrates: 10.8g, Fiber: 7.9g, Protein: 6.7g