Fakin' Aspragus Recipe

Mock comfort food + something healthy = Fakin' Asparagus!!!

It is the fantastic combination of smoky, salty, crunchy with crisp, clean, caramelized heaven.  Fakin' Asparagus is a great appetizer especially in the spring and early summer when asparagus is in season.  I wanted to get the recipe out before they were out of season.  Remember to check out That's Vegetarian Eating What's in Season for valuable resources on seasonal foods by locale.  

I use Morningstar Farms Bacon Strips because they are the closest to the bacon essence. They are very similar to the salad topping Bacos, which are vegetarian as well.  They are also lower in fat, cholesterol and calories.

Baked Pork Bacon

Morningstar Farms Bacon Strips

Bacon - Almost 2xs the calories & fat;  50% more sodium; less fiber, iron & calcium. However, bacon does have 3x's as much protein.  
The serving size of bacon is half of the fakin on the right. Double amounts on left when comparing.



Let me now redeem my recipe with the facts about asparagus.  It is low in sodium to balance out the sodium of the fakin'.  It contains many minerals and vitamins including potassium, magnesium, manganese, vitamins A, C, E, K, and an entire slew of the B family.  

Fakin' Asparagus is a fun appetizer that has a comfy feel to it.  Try it now while the asparagus is still in season.

Watch the video, print the recipe, prepare any one of the dishes and you'll find yourself saying "That's Vegetarian?!"

FAKIN' ASPARAGUS RECIPE

1 Box Morningstar Farms Bacon Strips

36-72 Asparagus spears

1/4 c Fresh Parmesan cheese, shaved (opt)

Defrost the Morningstar Farms Bacon Strips for at least 1 hour to increase ease of handling.

Preheat oven to 400F.

Break the ends of the asparagus stalks by holding at the blunt end and a 1/4 of the way down from the tip. This will allow the asparagus to break at the best point to eliminate any excessive fibrous ends. Spray baking dish with olive oil, place rinsed trimmed asparagus in pan, sprinkle with pepper and toss in pan. Bake at 400F for 5 minutes, 4 if the stalks are thin.

Remove the asparagus and let cool for about 5 minutes, until they are at a comfortable temperature for handling.

Fakin' Asparagus Video

Grab 2-4 stalks of asparagus all facing the same direction and one MF bacon strip. Wrap the asparagus with the fakin from the tip down on an angle slightly overlapping. Place in the same baking dish with the edge of the fakin closest to the bottom of the spear face down on the pan to prevent it from unraveling.

Bake at 400F for about 4 minutes, until the strips have browned. Watch closely as they brown quickly since they are defrosted. Remove from oven once lightly browned.

Cool for about 5 minutes and enjoy.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Bake time: 5 minutes for asparagus, 4-5 minutes for wrapped asparagus

Serving size: 3 pieces

Serves 6

Level of difficulty - easy.

3pp with or without the cheese because there is so little.

Fakin' Asparagus Printable Recipe

http://www.morningstarfarms.com/morningstar-farms-veggie-bacon-strips.renderImageText.html?BID=29192&MD5=714d8244ef514ee6b9b94c873e6a1ade&FT=MorningStarFarmsVeggieBaconStrips_352&productORrecipe=product&freeTextPresent=no

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/10602/2

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/pork-products/7354/2

Some Changes to That's Vegetarian

That's Vegetarian Has Moved!!!

No more Long Beach, CA. Now the Big Apple!!! And what a change it is.

During my transition, I was watching a fair bit of TV, cooking shows to be more exact. My first sublet had cable TV which I haven't had for years and once the digital transition happened, my rabbit ears didn't work as well so there went PBS on Saturdays.

There were many that were great. And all too many more that were just nasty. One thing I realized, they all had these nice user-friendly kitchen. Well, mine here in NYC, not so much. My kitchen is WAY WAY smaller for one and I didn't bring all my nifty kitchen gadgets with me. That means there is a bit of a redux going on. Barebones cooking and baking in a barebones kitchen with minimal space and still healthy? YES it can be done and I'll show you how!

I also ask for you to bear with me as I figure out the technical aspects of the show. The space is different and not as bright as my last place and I switched sublets once already. It may take a few episodes to get it all together. The recipes will still be delicious!!!!!

I wanted to share the cooking shows I really like and why.

I seriously fell in love with Alton Brown's Good Eats. I know we've all seen him on Iron Chef and have watched him somewhere through the years I am sure. This was the first time I watched many many episodes in a row. I like the way he incorporates science and whys into his show. Plus it is entertaining. Old episodes are on Cooking Channel TV (Cooking Channel TV - Good Eats) and Hulu (Hulu - Good Eats) too!

America's Test Kitchen has always been a favorite with Christopher Kimball and his team.  (http://www.americastestkitchen.com)  My roommate and I would sit around on Saturday's and watch on PBS. It is unbiased, factual, and full of good recipes and information. They are actually funny although in a dry way most of the time. This interview of them is amusing too. (Cookbook Forum)

Jamie Oliver has many great shows. (Jamie Olivers' Food Revolution, Cooking Channel TV - Jamie Oliver Bio) He promotes healthy eating and getting to the basics. He has been working internationally promoting healthy eating in schools.  He has numerous shows and cookbooks available.

Chuck's Day Off is based out of Montreal. Chuck Hughes has 2 restaurant is funny and makes good food using good ingredients. It is a fun creative show to watch. He is just so down to earth. It is great. (Cooking Channel TV - Chuck Hughes Bio)

Giadia de Laurentis was not high on my list when I started my adventure only to find out she is a well-trained knowledgeable cook and not just a pretty face. (Cooking Channel TV - Giada de Laurentiis Bio)

    

Thank you for your patience through our transition as we get back on track providing you with great recipes and great videos.  There are many more shows out there and I will keep you abreast on what I find. Please go to our FaceBook page (That's Vegetarian Facebook page) and share your favorite show (apart from That's Vegetarian of course!)