Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus is enjoyed worldwide, but you should try making it the Japanese way. It is easy to eat, simple to make, and the texture of the asparagus is delightful.
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What is Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus?
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus is a dish made by wrapping asparagus with bacon and sautéing it. Some characteristics of the Japanese preparation method include using bacon with a tender texture, similar to ham even after cooking, and cutting the asparagus into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
The most common seasoning used in Japan is a simple one that brings out the salty flavor of the bacon itself, achieved by sprinkling black pepper. However, if you want to give it a Japanese twist in terms of seasoning, try adding a small amount of mirin and soy sauce at the end of the cooking process.
In Japan, this dish is commonly served not only as a side dish but also in bento (lunch boxes).
Differences In Bacon
The bacon commonly eaten in Japan is pre-cooked and has a ham-like texture rather than being crispy, so it may differ slightly from the bacon sold in your area. By using bacon with a tender texture, you will be able to enjoy the asparagus even more. It offers a different appeal from the crispy one, so I recommend trying tender bacon or ham instead for this dish.
Other bacon-wrapped dishes
In addition to bacon-wrapped asparagus, there are other popular bacon-wrapped dishes in Japan. These include bacon-wrapped vegetables and bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms.
To make bacon-wrapped vegetables, you can replace asparagus with your favorite vegetables, cut into sticks similar to asparagus. For the recipe of bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms, please refer to this page. Both are popular dishes in Japan, so give them a try.
Ingredients
- 8 asparagus
- 8 slices half-sized bacon
- 1 Tbsp sake
- pinch of ground black pepper
Step-by-step instructions
🕒 Total 15 mins
Step 1
Trim the tough ends of the asparagus by about 0.8 inch (2cm), and then cut the remaining stalks to one-third of their original length. If the skin of the asparagus is tough, you can use a knife or peeler to remove it.
Step 2
Place the three cut asparagus on slices of bacon and roll them up. Secure the end of each bacon slice with a toothpick to prevent them from falling apart. Repeat the same process for all the asparagus.
Step 3
Heat oil in a pan. Once the pan is warm, add the bacon-wrapped asparagus spears and sauté them over medium heat. When they have browned, flip them over and cook on all sides.
Step 4
Cover the pan and steam them on low heat for a few minutes until the asparagus spears are tender.
Step 5
Turn off the heat, remove the lid, and sprinkle black pepper.
To Store
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips on how to make
- Black pepper should be added at the end of the cooking process. If it is added first, its flavor will be lost.
Recipe Card
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus with Japanese Seasoning
Ingredients
- 8 asparagus
- 8 slices half-sized bacon
- 1 Tbsp sake
- pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
- Trim the tough ends of the asparagus by about 0.8 inch (2cm), and then cut the remaining stalks to one-third of their original length. If the skin of the asparagus is tough, you can use a knife or peeler to remove it.
- Place the three cut asparagus on slices of bacon and roll them up. Secure the end of each bacon slice with a toothpick to prevent them from falling apart. Repeat the same process for all the asparagus.
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the pan is warm, add the bacon-wrapped asparagus spears and sauté them over medium heat. When they have browned, flip them over and cook on all sides.
- Cover the pan and steam them on low heat for a few minutes until the asparagus spears are tender.
- Turn off the heat, remove the lid, and sprinkle black pepper.
Notes
- You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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