27 min
Prep Time
1 hr 16 min
Cook Time
Medium
Level
4
Servings

This take on the classic bacon-wrapped appetizer uses prosciutto instead to wrap meaty scallops. High-quality Italian prosciutto, found at well-stocked supermarkets or Italian specialty stores, has an incomparable melt-in-your-mouth texture. It's more expensive, but you only need a little for this recipe. Make it a meal: Serve with an unoaked chardonnay and our recipe for Wild Rice Salad or whole-wheat orzo tossed with Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

  • 12 large dry sea scallops, (about 1 pound; see Note)

  • ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper

  • 1 1/4 ounces very thinly sliced prosciutto, (about 3 slices), cut into 12 long strips

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

  • 12 ounces baby spinach

Method

  1. Place rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

  2. Pat scallops dry and sprinkle both sides with lemon pepper. Wrap 1 piece of prosciutto around each scallop. Thread 3 scallops crosswise onto each skewer (securing the prosciutto to the scallop) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Broil until just cooked through, about 6 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, whisk oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Reserve 1 tablespoon vinaigrette in a small bowl.

  4. Place spinach in a colander and rinse under cold water. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add handfuls of spinach (with water still clinging to it) to the pan and cook, stirring, until just wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the spinach and add to the medium bowl; toss to coat with the vinaigrette. Divide the spinach among 4 plates and top each portion with 3 scallops. Drizzle the scallops with the reserved vinaigrette.