Baked Apples and Bacon

• 12 strips applewood smoked bacon
• 4 to 6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
• 3 medium Golden Delicious apples
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
• Baby arugula

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Arrange the bacon on a sheet tray, sprinkle with some of the thyme and bake until crispy, about 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Slice the apples horizontally to create 5 to 6 cross sections of the apple.
4. On a separate sheet tray lined with a silpat or parchment paper lay the apples out in a single layer and drizzle with a little olive oil.
5. Sprinkle a little sugar and thyme on each slice then bake in the oven until the apples begin to dehydrate and sugar has melted and caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes
6. To serve, lay the apple and bacon slices, alternating, in a long overlapping line on a serving platter.
7. Or, break the bacon pieces in half and reassemble the apple slices back together, placing crispy bacon pieces in between each slice.
8. Garnish with arugula and serve.

bacon, thyme, golden delicious apples, extravirgin olive oil, sugar, arugula

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/baked-apples-and-bacon-recipe.html (may not work)