Bacon and Asparagus Fusilli Stir-Fry

A quick and savory fusion pasta dish featuring crispy bacon and vibrant asparagus tossed in a rich, umami-packed soy and oyster sauce reduction.

Ingredients

• 200 g fusilli pasta
• 150 g bacon
• 100 g asparagus
• 1/2 red onion
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• to taste salt

Instructions

1. 1Prepare the bacon

   

   Place the bacon strips on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut them into small, bite-sized pieces. This ensures the bacon cooks evenly and distributes well throughout the pasta dish.

   Tip: Chilling the bacon slightly before cutting can make it firmer and easier to slice uniformly.
2. 2Prepare the asparagus

   

   Wash the asparagus thoroughly and remove any woody ends. Cut the stalks into even, bite-sized segments to ensure they cook at the same rate as the pasta.

   Tip: You can snap off the woody ends of the asparagus by hand; they will naturally break where the tender part begins.
3. 3Boil the pasta

   

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.

   Tip: Add a small drizzle of oil to the boiling water to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
4. 4Blanch the asparagus

   

   Carefully drop the cut asparagus segments into the boiling water with the pasta. Blanch them for 1-2 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender, then drain along with the pasta.

   Tip: Do not overcook the asparagus; it should retain a slight crunch and vibrant color.
5. 5Sauté the onions

   

   Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and sauté until fragrant and slightly softened, creating a flavorful base for the dish.

   Tip: Keep the heat moderate to soften the onions without browning them too quickly.
6. 6Cook the bacon

   

   Add the prepared bacon pieces to the pan with the sautéed onions. Stir-fry over medium-high heat until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.

   Tip: Render the fat from the bacon slowly to get maximum flavor for the rest of the ingredients.
7. 7Combine ingredients

   

   Add the blanched asparagus pieces and pre-cooked fusilli pasta into the pan containing the crispy bacon. Toss everything together over medium heat to begin incorporating the flavors.

   Tip: Make sure your asparagus is blanched just until tender-crisp to maintain its bright green color and fresh texture.
8. 8Season the pasta

   

   Pour in the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce directly over the pasta and vegetables. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper to add a layer of spice and depth to the dish.

   Tip: Dark soy sauce provides the rich, deep color, while oyster sauce adds a savory umami base that ties the bacon and asparagus together.
9. 9Stir-fry to finish

   

   Use a spatula to stir-fry the pasta, bacon, and asparagus together over medium-high heat. Continue tossing until every piece of pasta is evenly coated with the savory sauce mixture and the dish is thoroughly heated.

   Tip: Keep the pasta moving constantly to ensure the sauces reduce and coat the spirals without burning the sugar in the sauces.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions