Shrimp, Scallop and Pancetta Skewers

We've been trying to figure out how many pounds upon pounds of butter we've been using in the Canadian Living Test Kitchen in the last few weeks. With developing recipes for the 2012 holidays, the bags of sugar, flour and packs of eggs and butter seem to dissapear just as fast as they make their way into our kitchen. The consensus seems to be that we stopped counting after 18 pounds of butter!

The wintery treats of the day make me crave anything summery come dinner (if I'm still hungry for a proper meal that is!). Lighter fares are usually welcome, like these fresh seafood skewers. We enjoyed them alongside grilled radicchio - a lovely addition to any summer barbecue - and a caprese salad with plump heirloom tomatoes and a caper dressing.With a few colourful blooms on our balcony and a gentle breeze, I can't think of a more perfect hot spring night.

And if you're looking for the perfect book to dive into this summer, take a look at the list in the comment section of my latest giveaway, Apron Anxiety. Chocolate Shavings readers share some of their favourite food-related reads. I've added a few to my to-read list already! And if you haven't entered the giveaway, you have a few more days to do so here.

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

I've always loved entertaining, but especially love easy entertaining. I've learned from trial and error to always make something fresh and simple, and something you've made before! These bacon-wrapped scallops make for great finger food. you can make them ahead of time and reheat them at the last minute and switch the ingredients around. You can use pancetta in place of the bacon and dates or figues instead of the scallops. Any crispy and salty cured meat will pair wonderfully with, in this case tender scallops, or fruity and soft fruit.

The only thing about this recipe is that because it is simple, the ingredients have to be really good .. so try to get the bacon from a good deli, and the scallops as fresh as can be.

Recipe: (for 12 scallops)
12 scallops
12 thin slices of bacon
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
12 wooden toothpicks, soaked in water for 20 minutes

Set your oven on broil. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Tightly wrap them with a piece of bacon and seal by inserting a toothpick to hold the bacon together. Place on a bacon sheet and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 6-10 minutes, depending on the size of the scallops. Remove when cooked through. If the toothpicks burn a little while in the oven, gently remove them once out of the oven, and replace with new ones.