Bacon on the barbecue? Yes, please!

Bacon-wrapped barbecue wings

Start to finish: 2 hours

Servings: 2 rings per person

You’ll need sweet onions for this recipe, best would be Vidalia or Walla Walla Sweets.

Prepare your grill with heat on one side (to provide indirect heat) aim for 300 degrees. Slice the onions in half then slice a ½ inch slice from each half. You’ll need two or three larger rings together for stability so carefully separate the center smaller rings away from the outer rings. Save the rest of the onion for another purpose.

Next take slices of bacon and wrap them around the onion ring. I found 1½ slices worked nicely but you could use more if your budget allows. Secure with a toothpick.

Load the rings on the cool side of the grill and cook for about 90 minutes at 300 degrees for beautiful smoky flavored rings.

Word to the wise: higher heat results in burned bacon and raw onion. Depending on how thick your rings are and how much bacon you used they may take longer than 90 minutes. If they look a little anemic, finish them off under the broiler to crisp and brown the bacon.

Bacon-wrapped asparagus

Start to finish: 1 hour

Servings: 4 spears per person

Prepare and heat grill to 300 degrees. Trim the tough ends from asparagus spears. Lightly steam asparagus until warmed through but not soft. Allow them to cool until you can handle them. Wrap each spear with one slice of bacon. You can opt for half a slice per spear; it’s still wonderful and budget friendly.

Assemble wrapped spears into “rafts” with long skewers to keep them from falling through the grill and make them easier to turn. Place on grill and cook until bacon is crisp.

This weekend also brings The High Desert International Film Festival right here in Pahrump. Go to highdesertiff.com for more info. There are more than 60 films from all over the world. Please take advantage of the FREE family films on Saturday at the Nugget Event Center from 9:30 to 3:00.

Join us Friday (today!) morning at 10:00 to noon at Sanders Family Winery for a meet and greet with Sophie Simmons and food and wine pairing with a menu designed by yours truly. It’s free and open to the public so stop by and say hello. I’d love to meet you!

Frugal Festivity by Patti Diamond author of Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous!, www.divasonadime.com Join us on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom.