Scallop Brochettes with Haricots Verts Salad

Ingredients

1. 6 ounces thickly sliced apple-smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
2. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3. 5 teaspoons red wine vinegar
4. Salt and freshly ground pepper
5. 1 pound haricots verts
6. 24 medium scallops (about 1 3/4 pounds)

1. Soak 16 wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Light a grill.
2. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp, about 15 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat to a medium bowl. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the haricots verts in a saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes; drain and rinse in cold water. Pat dry. Transfer to the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
4. In a bowl, toss the scallops with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Thread 3 scallops onto 2 parallel skewers; repeat to make 8 brochettes. Season the brochettes with salt and pepper and grill over moderate heat until the scallops are medium rare, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
5. Mound the haricots verts on 8 plates. Top each salad with a brochette, sprinkle with the bacon and serve.