Today we are taking on Game Day. We both are Nebraska girls so we are all about the Huskers! GBR! Just being in Nebraska on a game day is an experience; everyone is wearing red and smiling, everyone. One of the best parts about football season are the parties with friends and family. Who doesn't like hanging with friends and family and snacking all day!?!
Today's recipe: Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts came from my time living in Iowa. I've mentioned it before, but every month we had a welcome party for the new agents at our presidents house. She always had the same caterer and same appetizers. We all looked forward to having our favorites. One of the dishes was always Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts. I have to say, I passed by these for at least 6 months until I tried one. Big mistake because they are delicious! The sweet, salty, and crunchy combo is amazing.
Plus they are simple to make and will leave your home smelling like bacon when your guests arrive. Best air-freshener ever?
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
1 pound bacon
8 ounce cans water chestnuts
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup ketchup
Soak 20-30 wooden toothpicks in a shallow glass of cold water. (Don't skip this step; they have to be soaked or they will burn while baking.) Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut package of bacon in half. (I used kitchen sheers and cut right down the middle of the package before opening.) Wrap one half strip of bacon around each water chestnut and then secure with one of the water-soaked toothpicks. Bake the wrapped water chestnuts in 9 x 13 pan or a cookie sheet for 20 minutes.
While the bacon wrapped water chestnuts bake, in a small bowl stir together the brown sugar, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup. Set aside.
After the 20 minutes of baking, remove bacon wrapped water chestnuts from oven. Leave oven on! Carefully remove from the pan and set on a plate with a paper towel to soak up the excess grease.
Use additional paper towels to clean out the excess grease from the baking dish too. (I like to use tongs so I don't burn my fingers.)
Put all of the baked bacon wrapped water chestnuts back in the baking dish. Pour the prepared sauce all over top. Bake for an additional 30-40 minutes or until bacon is crispy.
Transfer to serving plate and serve hot.
Makes 20 to 30 bacon bites.
Source: Savory Sweet Life
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Now, what should you wear on game day? Let's see what Ginny thinks....
