Bacon-Wrapped Strawberries

You know how you cover your face with both hands while anticipating a scary part of a movie but leave just enough room for one eye to peek through your fingers?  That's totally me right now.  I cringe to think about the first reaction one might experience in response to a recipe like this... and I get it.  Reactions will vary but most likely will range from "disgusting!" to "interesting!" to "are you kidding me?!"; either way, these bacon-wrapped strawberries are definitely something that you should try.  Imagine salty, crispy bacon paired with a sweet, delicate strawberry.  Hard to imagine?  That's the response I got from a few people upon description.  I don't blame you if you don't try it; however, I would challenge you to open your mind and give your taste buds a little ride with this unconventional approach to strawberries.  I dare you.  You might be pleasantly surprised - just as I was.  

Note:  Hulling the strawberries is optional.  I like to keep the leaves intact just for aesthetic purposes.  If you choose not to hull them, the leaves will become crisp and brittle, so you may have a few pieces that crumble off when you pick them up to take a bite.  While strawberry leaves are edible, the texture is probably something you wouldn't enjoy, so use your own discretion.

Ingredients:

• Ripe strawberries
• Bacon strips
• Toothpicks 

Directions:

Preheat the broiler.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  When the skillet it preheated, spray it with a light coating of cooking spray.  Add the slices of bacon and fry until partially cooked and lightly browned but still bendable, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side.  Drain the bacon on paper towels and allow it sit until cool enough to handle.

Carefully wrap the bacon around the widest part of each strawberry.  Where the bacon just begins to overlap itself, stick a toothpick through to the other side of the strawberry to secure the bacon.  Trim off any excess bacon that hangs off.  An average-sized strawberry will use about 3/4 of a strip of bacon.

Place the strawberries on a rack that is on top of a tin foil-lined baking sheet.  The strawberries will drip liquid as they cook.

Broil the strawberries for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the bacon is crispy on both sides.  Remove the strawberries from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes.

Take a bite and enjoy!