Roasted Asparagus With Goat Cheese And Bacon

By cdrier

Ingredients

• 6 *Drier's* bacon slices
• 2 pounds medium asparagus tough ends trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil plus
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
• 3 1/2 ounce soft fresh goat cheese log - (to 4 oz) crumbled
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Preparation

Step 1

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp. Transfer to paper towels and drain. Crumble bacon; set aside.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 500 degrees. Arrange asparagus on large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and turn asparagus to coat well. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast asparagus until crisp-tender when pierced with knife, about 7 minutes.

Arrange asparagus in single layer on platter. Sprinkle with goat cheese, then bacon. Drizzle with lemon juice and remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle grated lemon peel over. (Can be prepared 1 hour ahead. Cover with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature.