Pan Seared Sugar Crusted Sea Scallops

Bacon, tabasco soaked cherries, maple aioli

Serves 4 as an appetizer

8 sea scallops
2 tbl. sugar
1 tbl. canola oil
8 strips of good quality bacon (the thicker the better)
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup warm water
1 tbl. Tabasco sauce
2 tbl. aioli or your favorite mayo
2 tbl. pure maple syrup
2 tbl. chopped chives
s&p

Mix warm water, cherries, and Tabasco and let steep for 5 minutes, strain liquid. Mix aioli or mayo with maple syrup. In a saute pan heat canola oil, add bacon and cook till crisp, remove bacon and keep warm. Season scallops with salt & pepper, sear on both sides approx. 1 minute on each side in same pan to a perfect medium-rare. Place 2 strips bacon and cherries on each plate, place scallops on top, dust with sugar, drizzle with maple aioli and garnish with chives