Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles with Chive Cream Cheese

These delightful two-bite appetizers are at once smoky, savory and fresh thanks to the collaboration of Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon, garlicky cream cheese, local asparagus and fresh chives. The recipe is adapted from the High Heels and Grills blog.

Makes about 1 dozen bundles

18 asparagus spears, trimmed of woody ends, cut in half horizontally

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 Neuske’s applewood smoked bacon (or similar) slices, cut in half horizontally 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

½ teaspoon minced garlic

Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 13 minutes. Total time: 23 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On a baking sheet, toss asparagus with olive oil and roast in preheated oven until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.

On a separate baking sheet, cook bacon slices in oven 6 to 8 minutes, until barely beginning to crisp.

Meanwhile, combine cream cheese, chives and garlic.

Once bacon and asparagus are cool enough to handle, spoon about 2 teaspoons cream cheese mixture onto each bacon slice, then place 3 asparagus pieces onto each bacon strip and roll up. Place bundles seam side down onto baking sheet.

Bake asparagus bundles in 400-degree oven 3 to 5 minutes, until bacon is fully crisp. Serve hot.

Per serving (2 bundles): 126 calories, 3g carbohydrate, 4.5g protein, 11g fat (5g saturated), 202mg sodium, 1g fiber.