Pan Seared Scallop Pasta with Creamy Bacon Sauce

Step 1

Chop the bacon into small pieces.

Step 2

Peel and chop the onion and garlic and set to one side for later.

Step 3

Place a skillet over a medium flame, add the oil and cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the bacon grease behind.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook over a medium heat until softened. Add in the garlic and fry gently for 30 seconds before pouring in the white wine (or stock). Cook until the liquid has reduced by half.

Step 5

Reduce the heat and add in the heavy cream and half of the cooked bacon. Bring to a low simmer and cook gently for 5 minutes to thicken, then keep warm over a very low heat.

Step 6

Whilst the sauce is simmering cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 1 minute less than the packet suggests.

Step 7

Before draining the pasta reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water then drain the pasta and add it to the cream sauce along with 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Stir well to coat the pasta, adding more cooking water as required. Then set to one side until the scallops are cooked. (You may need extra cooking water before you serve)

Step 8

Ensure the scallops are dry by patting them with paper towel to remove any moisture. Then leave them to sit on a sheet of paper towel.

Step 9

Place a heavy non-stick fry pan over a medium high heat and add the oil. Let the oil get smoking hot.

Step 10

Season the scallops lightly with salt. Then carefully and quickly add the scallops to the fry pan. Do them individually starting at 12 o’clock and working around the outside of the pan.

Step 11

Cook the scallops for 90 seconds on one side.

Step 12

Turn the heat off under the pan and add the butter.

Step 13

Use tongs to gently turn each scallop over into the sizzling butter, again starting at 12 o’clock and working around in the same order you added the scallops. (see note 3)

Step 14

Once the butter has stopped sizzling, give the pasta a stir, add in the remaining bacon, adding more cooking water if needed, then serve the pasta with 3 scallops on top.

Step 15

Add lemon zest to the top and a small spritz of lemon juice.

Step 16

Garnish with fresh herbs and black pepper then serve immediately.