Sluttishly Savoury: Bacon Roses

What you mean you haven't bought your Valentine's Day gift yet? No, me neither; there's a limit to the amount of aftershave, perfume, cuddly toys, chocolates and cheesy compilation CDs you can give to one person. There's still time to whip up batch of Laura's cute jammy hearts or Laura B's brilliant postcard biscuits (assuming your Valentine hasn't given up biscuits up for Lent, like mine). This year, I'm giving my husband flowers. Edible flowers. Made from bacon. With sugar.

Take that, Valentine's Day! I win.

After seeing this idea on Instructables, I had to try it. I'd been meaning to make candied bacon for a while so I decided to try the roses with sugar - two birds pigs, one stone and all that... I didn't use the plastic stems from artificial roses because, well, where does one find fake roses? Finally, we know what the 'that' is in Meatloaf's song I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), dismantling a dozen plastic flowers is a step too far.

Candied Bacon Roses
You'll need:

• 50g brown sugar
• 1 tsp paprika (optional)
• 12 thinly sliced rashers of streaky bacon
• Assorted green leaves to decorate (I used sage and red chard)

Make it!

1. Preheat your oven to 165C/325F/gas mark 3.
2. Sprinkle the sugar and paprika (if using) on a plate and mix a little to combine. 
3. Press both sides of a bacon rasher on to the sugar to coat it and roll it into a rose shape.Secure the bottom of the rose with a couple of toothpicks (see photo below) and place on a shallow bun tray, using the toothpicks to hold them off the bottom of the tin.
4. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until golden and crispy. Leave to cool  with the toothpicks still in place.
5. When the roses have cooled, remove the toothpicks (twisting them will release the stuck ones), spear them with wooden skewers and decorate with the greenery.
6. Prepare to give the best Valentine's present ever.