Ingredients:
Bamboo skewers
Green Food Coloring
1 lb. thick cut bacon
2 tsp. cayenne pepper or 1 tbsp. of chili powder if you prefer a less spicy version.
1 tbsp. crushed red pepper
1 tbsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 cup brown sugar
Directions:
Place bamboo skewers in a tall vase with water and green food coloring. Let sit for 1 hour to overnight. Once the skewers turn green, remove from the water and set on a paper towel-lined tray to let air dry.
Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with foil, and place a flat cooling rack on the baking sheet.
In a small bowl mix together cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
On a cutting board, sprinkle each piece of bacon liberally with the brown sugar and a pinch of seasoning mixture. Starting at the end of one of the slices of bacon, roll tightly into a rose shape and secure with two toothpicks in an X shape at one end of the bacon rose. Repeat with all slices.
Place each rose on the prepared baking sheet, be sure to space the roses out so they are not touching.
Bake the candied bacon roses for 30-45 minutes, checking for doneness at 30 minutes. Most of the grease will be rendered, the roses will have tightened and the edges will be crisp.
Once done, remove the bacon roses from the oven and let cool completely. Remove the toothpicks once cooled.
Place each bacon rose on the colored skewers and share with the person you love the most.
