Recipe Day: Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cans (16 oz total) whole water chestnuts
• 1 pound regular-thickness bacon (1 strip per 4 wrapped chestnuts)
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• toothpicks

Directions

1. Prep (can be done anytime): Drain chestnuts and blot in paper towel. Cut bacon strips in half lengthwise, then half again widthwise. Wrap bacon around chestnuts and secure with toothpick. Place wraps on wire rack over foil-lined baking tray.
2. Preheat oven to 400 F.
3. Combine kethcup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in shallow, wide container.
4. Bake wraps in over for 20 minutes.
5. Coat wraps in sauce (back-and-forth dragging motion like a snow shovel works well) and return to oven.
6. Bake 20 - 30 more minutes, until bacon is crispy and sauce is caramelized.

Bacon is the most finicky part of any "bacon-wrapped XYZ" recipe. The best part about this recipe is that the water chestnuts retain their texture without ever overcooking, so you can focus completely on getting the bacon just right.