Tortellini w/ Spinach, Bacon, and Sun Dried Tomatoes

Have you noticed the theme lately???  Yes another recipe with bacon!  I promise not every recipe I make has bacon in it...well not yet at least ;)  I suppose you could leave the bacon out if you want, but it really is that much better with bacon!  Enough with my love affair with bacon and on to the recipe!

Tortellini w/ Spinach, Bacon, and Sun Dried Tomatoes source Butter with a Side of Bread
6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled (reserve the bacon grease)
1 small onion, diced fine
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
20 oz frozen tortellini
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
9 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
1 TBS lemon juice
1 TBS cornstarch and enough cold water to mix in
Parmesan Cheese for topping

• Saute onion and garlic over medium heat in hot bacon grease for about 2-3 minutes or until softened
• Add chicken and broth and milk, heat over medium heat until barely boiling
• Add frozen tortellini, cover, and set timer for 10 minutes
• When timer goes off add cornstarch and water mixture and stir until smooth
• Add remaining ingredients except parmesan cheese and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes
• Serve topped with parmesan cheese

This is one of those meals that is on the table in less than 20 minutes, but still delicious.  This would be good with all kinds of veggies.  Carrots, broccoli, peas, zucchini, or whatever else you may have on hand.  A simple clean out the fridge type meal!

Below is the nutrition per serving.  This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 273 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 462 Calories from Fat 219

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 24.3g 37%

Saturated Fat 9.3g 47%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 60mg 20%

Sodium 859mg 36%

Total Carbohydrates 39.3g 13%

Dietary Fiber 3.5g 14%

Sugars 2.9g

Protein 20.0g

Vitamin A 86% • Vitamin C 41% Calcium 19% • Iron 17%

Nutrition Grade B-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Low in sugar
• High in vitamin A
• Very high in vitamin B6
• High in vitamin B12

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What I am Eating - Townsend House

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Today was the last day for the upick asparagus :(  I am a little sad, but on a positive note we now have upick sugar snap peas and strawberries going on.  To close the farm fresh asparagus season I decided to use our bounty to make some bacon wrapped asparagus.  It is super easy and it has bacon!

I am loving all the local bounty including the local meat market.  I picked up a couple of pounds of bacon last week and have been putting it in everything!  I haven't heard a single complaint all week.  Somehow everything is better with bacon!

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
1 lb asparagus
5 slices of bacon
a few grinds of fresh black pepper
olive oil for drizzling

• Wash and trim asparagus so they are all the same length
• Lightly coat the asparagus with olive oil and season with black pepper
• Bundle 4-5 asparagus spears and wrap with each bundle with a slice of bacon then secure the end with a toothpick
• Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and place bundles in the pan
• Roast in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes
• Flip and roast for an additional 10 minutes or until bacon is cooked through

If you love bacon then you need to give this recipe a try!  This is such an effortless side dish and full of flavor.  

Below is the nutritional value per bundle.  This recipe yields 5 bundles,

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 115 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 149 Calories from Fat 95

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 10.5g 16%

Saturated Fat 3.3g 16%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 25mg 8%

Sodium 526mg 22%

Total Carbohydrates 4.0g 1%

Dietary Fiber 2.0g 8%

Sugars 1.7g

Protein 10.4g

Vitamin A 14% • Vitamin C 9% Calcium 3% • Iron 13%

Nutrition Grade B+

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• High in niacin
• High in phosphorus
• High in selenium

Bad points

• High in saturated fat
• High in sodium