Scallops Topped with Bacon & Apple Crumble

I saw these beautiful fresh scallops at our local farmers market & I could not go past them. I get so disappointed that commercially brought scallops are sold without the row, it is so beautiful in colour & taste. I grew up in New Zealand where we would dive for them & we would eat the WHOLE scallop, so it seems strange that the row is wasted.

I served the scallops on a smear of cauliflower mash, which worked so perfectly.  This dish works perfectly as an entree if you are having a dinner party or want to treat yourself to something a bit special. If I had seen this dish on a menu while eating out I would have been excited! Materchef here I come!

INGREDIENTS (serves 4)

8 scallops
4 rash bacon
2 apples
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Chop the bacon in very small cubes
2. Peel the apples & chop into small cubes & set aside
3. In a hot pan fry the chopped bacon until soft
4. Add the apple & a touch of olive oil if needed, pan fry until the bacon in crispy, set aside
5. In a pan over a medium heat place 1 tablespoon of olive oil
6. Place the scallops in the pan & gently caramelize for 2-3 minutes
7. Gently turn the scallops over, caramelizing the other side for 2 minutes, be careful not to over cook the scallops
8. On your serving plates, garnish with baby water cress & smear the cauliflower mash (optional)
9. Place two scallops on each plate on top of the cauliflower mash
10. Carefully spoon the bacon & apple crumble on top of each scallop
11. Salt & pepper to taste. Serve

You could also add fresh herbs such as coriander to the crumble.