Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Scallops

With New Years Eve fast approaching, everyone is looking for a tasty, easy appetizer. This recipe is for sweet and spicy bacon wrapped scallops. What makes these different from regular bacon wrapped scallops is  a rub of cayenne pepper and brown sugar sprinkled over the bacon before baking it in the oven. So if your looking for a fast, simple appetizer that doesn’t skimp on flavor give these a try!

Author: Christa Johnston

Christa Johnston is a busy wife and mother of two young boys and a self-proclaimed foodie. Her love of cooking stems from growing up in a large family where food was always in abundance and a focal point of every gathering. As a teenager, Christa was a frequent shopper of the Shoreview Fresh and Natural Foods location even as a young dancer grabbing a quick snack between classes. Now, with her two boys in tow she shops weekly for a quick sandwich, deli salad or natural organic ingredients to provide healthy eating choices for her delicious recipes! Christa will transform your Sunday Funday!

Servings: 6 (two per person) | Prep Time: 5 | Cook Time: 20 | Ready in: 25

Ingredients

• 6 slices of bacon split in half
• 1 lb sea scallops
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• salt and pepper
• toothpicks

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a 9×13 cake pan with aluminum foil and place a small baking rack inside the pan. In a small bowl mix the cayenne pepper and brown sugar until well blended. Place the bacon slices onto the rack that’s inside the pan and sprinkle evenly with the rub mixture. Bake for 8 minutes.
In the meantime place the sea scallops into a colander and rinse well with cold water and then with a paper towel pat them dry. Sprinkle with a dash of salt and pepper.

Once bacon has baked for the 8 minutes take it out of the oven and allow to cool slightly. Take a scallop and wrap the bacon around it and secure it with a toothpick and place it back on the rack. Once all of the scallops are wrapped in bacon place them back into the oven for an additional 10-12 minutes. Scallops are done when they are opaque and firmer to the touch. Drain on a paper towel if necessary and serve warm. If your looking for a dipping sauce I think a honey or Dijon mustard would compliment these best.