Here is a great holiday side dish that pairs well with just about any meal.
INGREDIENTS:
6 strips bacon, cut into 1″ pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded white cheddar, divided
1 cup shredded Gruyère, divided
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Crushed red pepper flakes
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
1 cup crushed Ritz Crackers
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, 10 minutes. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel–lined plate. Drain all but a 1/4 cup of grease from pan.
To same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add flour and stir until golden, 2 minutes. Slowly pour in milk and cream, whisking until smooth. Let simmer until thickened, 5 minutes. Add ½ cup each of cheddar and Gruyère and stir until melted.
Add bacon back to sauce and season with salt and pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Place asparagus in a 9″-x-13″ baking pan and pour sauce over, then top with remaining ½ cup of each cheese and crushed Ritz Crackers.
Cover with foil and bake until asparagus is tender, 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese is melty, 10 minutes more.
Thank you to Delish for this great side dish.
Dec 14