Scallops Casino

A delectable combination of scallops, bacon, peppers, and a breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture sure to please. This is a luxurious appetizer served up with a crusty bread and roasted garlic.

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 slices lean bacon
• 0.5 pound sea scallops
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 0.25 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped roasted red bell peppers
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 0.25 cup dry white wine
• 2 teaspoons chicken broth
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 0.5 lemon, cut into wedges

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and parsley in a bowl.
3. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden but not crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain bacon fat from skillet until there is about 1 tablespoon fat left in the skillet. Add scallops and cook until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Remove scallops from skillet.
4. Wipe fat from skillet and add butter; cook and stir green bell pepper, onion, roasted red peppers, and garlic until fragrant and tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add white wine; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and simmer for 1 minute; season with salt and pepper.
5. Mix bacon and scallops into bell pepper mixture and transfer to a baking dish; top with bread crumb mixture.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn on oven's broiler and broil until bread crumb mixture is lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes.