Take this classic appetizer to new heights by introducing some maple syrup with this easy recipe for scallops in maple-glazed bacon!
Every once in a while I get a little stumped about what to make for dinner next. Not that I don’t have a towering stack of ideas in my “to-make” folder – I do! – but nothing speaks to me. When that happens I tend to ask the Southern husband if he is especially yearning for anything in particular, and he always seems to be yearning for the same thing. Scallops.
He adores scallops, especially the big juicy sea scallop kind. So after I asked this question recently, and he once again answered “scallops,” it occurred to me that I had never made my own version of the old classic scallops wrapped in bacon. So scallops in bacon it was – with a twist!
You need to get the nice big scallops for this one, and here’s a little background info from me to you on buying scallops. Ask for “dry” scallops when you are buying them, and here’s why: those big scallops come in two varieties, wet and dry.
They all look the same to you and me, but the “wet” ones are treated with a preservative that makes them heavier AND makes them shrink up a little when they cook AND lets them sit around longer in the market. And who wants any of that?
Dry scallops are plain old wonderful untreated scallops…fresher, tastier and yes, a little more expensive. But you are worth it! Here’s a summary of wet versus dry scallops that explains all this a lot better than I ever could.
Once you have your scallops, all you need is bacon, some nice maple syrup, some chives, a little ground pepper and some pretty toothpicks. You are going to partially cook your bacon so that your scallops and bacon can cook together in the oven without the scallops getting overcooked. Once your bacon is about halfway done, drain it and let it cool until you can pick it up without singing your fingers.
Now wrap each scallop in a piece of bacon and (here comes the beautiful part!) lovingly paint the whole thing with some maple syrup. Pop them under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes per side, making sure you watch them carefully…this is exactly why the light inside your oven was invented! When they are done carefully lift them off the pan, arrange them on a pretty plate and garnish them with chives and fresh ground pepper. Sweet, salty, tender, all on one toothpick!
Now I know, this doesn’t usually count as dinner…it’s more of an appetizer kind of thing, but you know what? The Southern husband didn’t seem to mind one little bit.
Scallops in Maple-Glazed Bacon
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 24 scallops (12 appetizer portions, 3-4 dinner servings)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 24 bacon slices (try for the center cut variety if you can find it)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 24 sea scallops (the large kind, and ask for dry scallops)
- Fresh ground pepper for garnish
- Fresh chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
- Partially cook bacon in a large skillet until halfway done. Remove, drain and cool until you can safely handle the bacon.
- Wrap each scallop in bacon and secure with a toothpick. Using a pastry brush, paint all over with maple syrup.
- Turn the broiler on high. Line a rimmed baking pan with foil and place a cooling rack in the pan. Place the scallops on the pan and broil for 2-3 minutes per side, watching them through the door to make sure the bacon isn’t burning. After they have cooked for 2-3 minutes on the first side, carefully remove the pan from the oven, turn them over with tongs, and pop them back in for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove to a serving plate, garnish with chives and pepper and serve at once.
Gabriele Carboni says
My version here: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/25121710396400993/
Simply AMAZING!
FLaure says
Merci pour cette recette que j’ai présentée à l’apéritif avec des amis. Depuis ce matin, j’ai mis ma préparation sur mon blog.
Bonne journée, FLaure
Rachel says
Your photo is gorgeous. These look so good.
Kate says
Rachel! Thank you so much – sweet comments like that make my whole day. :)
Nat says
Hi Kate, I’ve been reading your blog for years and have made some wonderful meals using your recipes. I love scallops and would like to try this recipe. One question, and please forgive my ignorance, what is a cooling rack? Is that just a wire rack that allows the juices to drip to the bottom pan?
Kate says
Hi Nat, and thanks for being such a good friend to Framed Cooks! And yes, that’s all it is – I use a small one that I have mainly for cooling cookies. It lets the bacon grease drip down so your bacon is tender and crispy!
Lena says
scallops are one of my favorites and I make them in different ways.
One that often comes with us here at the Swedish dining table is in the sauce with prosciutto and champagne.
http://lena-makeaheadfood.blogspot.se/2012/08/pilgrimsmusslor-i-champagnesas-med.html
The text is in Swedish but is fairly translated by google translete that I have installed on my food blog.
Welcome in!
/ Lena from Make a head food
Kate says
Looks very wonderful and elegant!
Charlene Thompson says
Those look absolutely tasty. I will have to try these soon. I love scallops. I received the package today with the Sandwich Cookbook enclosed. It looks great!! Thank you so very much.
Charlene
Kate says
I’m so glad – enjoy!!
Reeni says
Maple and bacon are such great friends! A tasty combo with scallops – I’ve never seen them with maple before – LOVE!
Kate says
It gives them that great sweet and salty thing – I love that! :)
Joe Heines III says
My absolute favorite appetizer!!!!!!!
Kate says
A good reason to make even more of them and have them for dinner!
ruthie says
May I say “Oooooh” and “Ahhhhh”? Talk about hitting the spot. This is what’s for breakfast! At least it will be when I’ve gotten the sea scallops that are, even now, waiting on my shopping list. Some nice, cheese-y scrambled eggs and some toast, and I’m feasting!
I swear you are psychic, Kate. ;)
Kate says
Oh, I think it’s just that great minds think alike thing going on. :)
Joanne says
The.Boy. only ever requests pasta for dinner so I feel your pain! Though your little scallops did turn out so cute!
Kate says
He knows what he likes! Maybe scallop pasta…?