Asparagus Bacon Spears

I don't remember where I saw these first - but I can tell you with certainty they are FABULOUS!  These delightful little treats are quick and easy to make and are sure to wow your guests!  The smokiness of the bacon combines perfectly with the freshness of the asparagus and flavors the puff pastry too.  It truly does illustrate that EVERYTHING is better with BACON.  Cheers!

Ingredients:

Asparagus Spears (depending upon how many you’re going to make.  One spear per wrap)

Slices of bacon – half as many slices as asparagus spears, i.e., 20 spears of asparagus – you’ll need 10 slices of bacon

1 sheet puff pastry – thawed and rolled out onto a floured surface

Salt & Pepper

Egg wash

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Wash, dry and trim the ends of the asparagus.

Using a pizza slicer, slice the puff pastry into long 1/2” strips – cutting on the longest side of the rectangle.  Should be able to get approximately 18 – 20 strips.

Cut the bacon in half lengthwise.  Twist/wrap one slice of bacon around the asparagus spear in a corkscrew spiral manner.  Next, wrap one slice of puff pastry around the spear of asparagus and bacon.

Place on baking sheet.  After all spears are completed, brush with egg wash.  Sprinkle salt and pepper over all.  Bake for approximately 18 minutes until they’re puffed and golden brown.

Click here for printable recipe

Spinach Pinwheels

Full disclosure, I found this recipe here:  ThatSkinnyChickCanBake.  I love working with Puff Pastry because it takes an everyday recipe and makes it look super special and fancy. These little pinwheels are no exception.  They’re easy to make, look elegant and taste delicious. 

Ingredients:

1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon of water

1/2 cup crumbled feta (you can either buy the feta already crumbled, or get a small block and crumble it yourself)

1/4 cup grated mozzarella

1 green onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

A few grates of fresh nutmeg

1 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, defrosted

Instructions:

Whisk together the egg and water, set aside.

Mix together the cheeses, onion and seasonings. Set aside.

Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to flatten the seams. Brush the surface with your egg wash.

Top the surface with the cheese mixture, then break apart the spinach and spread evenly over the surface.  Note: Leave about an inch free of toppings on one of the short sides. Starting on the short side that’s covered with filling, roll up the pastry like a jellyroll.

Line two baking sheets with parchment, or if you have a Silpat you can use that instead. Slice the roll into 1/2” - 3/4" slices and place them on the prepared sheets. Pop into the refrigerator or freezer to let them cool as the oven preheats to 400 degrees.

Bake for 15 minutes or until they’re golden.

Click here for printable recipe.

Greek Mezze Platter

For our most recent dinner and a movie with friends, we celebrated Greece and watched the movie Mamma Mia.  I was responsible for the appetizers, so I put together a Greek Meeze platter.  I got some Roasted Garlic Hummus, Persian Cucumbers, Greek Feta Cheese and Middle Eastern Flat Bread from Trader Joe's. I also purchased some Almond Stuffed Green Olives,  Marinated Mushrooms, Pepadew Peppers and Dried Apricots and Figs.  Place it all on a platter, drizzle some Greek Olive Oil over the hummus and Feta - and you have an easy appetizer spread.  Enjoy!