Pan-Seared Scallops with Crispy Bacon

Ingredients

Fresh parsley

2 tablespoons, chopped

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Lemon juice

2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Unsalted butter

3 tablespoons

Bacon

4 slices

Scallops

1 pound, large sea scallops

Instructions

1. Begin by cooking the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet, allowing it to drain on paper towels, and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the unsalted butter and minced garlic. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant and golden, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
3. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high, and once the butter is hot and bubbling, carefully add the scallops to the skillet.
4. Cook the scallops for about 2-3 minutes on one side until they develop a beautiful golden crust. Flip them over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they are opaque and cooked through.
5. Drizzle the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the scallops, and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
6. Crumble the crispy bacon over the scallops and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.