Asparagus Straightjacket

Camicie di Forza
Pastry Wrapped Spring Vegetable Parcels

No, this is not a new alternative rock band- but what a great name that would be! Asparagus Straightjacket!
This is just a nifty little idea for a different little party snack with a twist.
A twist of pastry...

These little parcels are made of green asparagus, red bell pepper, chopped bacon and spring onion.

Put the bacon into a dry pan and turn up the heat halfway. Once it starts to give off a little of its fat, add the other ingredients and fry together for 5 minutes. Season with a little sugar, salt and pepper.

Cut your puff pastry in to 2 strips of around 2 x 5 inches and lay them on your oven tray in an "x" form. Spread lightly with mustard. Place an asparagus stalk in the middle with a few strips of bell pepper and onion on each side and sprinkle with bacon bits. Now fold the ends of the pastry "x" over to seal all the ingredients together. Ta-da! Pastry Straightjackets! Bake in a pre heated oven at high heat for 5-10 minutes or until puffy and golden brown.

The finishing touch is a drizzle of honey, which counterpoints the slight bitterness of the asparagus and brings out the best in the peppers and onion.

Of course you could use this method to make any number of other pastries with other fillings.
Maybe a sweet version with pineapple, banana and mango... but now I am giving you too many ideas- some that I haven't even tried out yet myself! And I can't have you beating me to it!