Bacon Wrapped Grissini

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of smokehouse bacon
• 1 package grissini (long, thin Italian breadsticks)
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons dark chili powder

Directions:

1. Let the bacon stand at room temperature until slightly softened.  Wrap 1 slice of bacon around each breadstick to resemble a candy cane.  You may prepare this portion 2 hours in advance.
2. Mix the brown sugar and chili powder in a shallow dish.  Roll each breadstick in the brown sugar mixture until coated.  Arrange the breadsticks 1/2 inch apart on the rack of a broiler pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the coating caramelizes and the bacon is deep golden in color and cooked through.
3. Loosen each breadstick from the broiler rack.  Cut the breadsticks into halves while warm if desired.  Cool for 10 minutes or until firm.  Serve at room temperature.

Yield: 2 dozen breadsticks

 

*recipe from the Colorado Colore cookbook