Step 1

Thaw scallops, if frozen. Soak twenty 6-inch wooden skewers in water at least 30 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Rinse scallops; pat dry with paper towels. Cut scallops in half.

Step 3

Lay prosciutto or bacon strips on a large cutting board. Top each prosciutto strip with a medium-size basil leaf; add a scallop half. Starting from a short end, roll up each prosciutto strip around scallop. Thread each appetizer onto a skewer. Sprinkle with pepper.

Step 4

Place the skewers on the lightly greased unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat 6 to 8 minutes or until scallops are opaque and prosciutto or bacon is crisp, turning once.

Step 5

Serve skewers with Roasted Red Pepper Aïoli for dipping. If desired, top aïoli with snipped fresh basil.