Scallops with Bacon

Serves 4

Preparation time: approximately 10 minutes

Cooking time: approximately eight minutes

This fast stir-fry of scallops and bacon flavoured with fresh lemon and time has cost lettuce leaves added on at the last moment. A crisp and citrusy Chilean Sauvignon blanc goes well with the scallops.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

8 rashers of streaky bacon, de-rinded and chopped

8 spring onions, trimmed and chopped

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

450 g/£1 small scallops, without corals

Good splash of dry white wine

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Two sprigs of fresh lemon thyme

Part of one Cos lettuce, leaves separated

AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DO …

1. Heat 1 tablespoon full of oil in a pan and fry bacon crisp.
   
   
2. Drain on kitchen paper and reserve.
   
   
3. Heat remaining two tablespoonfuls of oil in the same pan and fry spring onions and garlic quickly over a medium heat.
   
   
4. Turn up the heat and add the Scallops.
   
   
5. Toss around for one minute until Scallops become just firm.
   
   
6. Add the white wine and balsamic vinegar and then bring to bubbling.
   
   
7. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
   
   
8. Add fresh lemon thyme, bacon and the Cos lettuce leaves and stir for 30 seconds. Serve immediately on warmed plates.