Embark on a culinary journey to savor the delicate and succulent flavors of sea scallops, prepared with utmost care and expertise. Discover two exceptional recipes that showcase the versatility and elegance of this prized seafood. The first recipe presents pan-seared sea scallops cooked to perfection in their shells, complemented by a luscious beurre blanc sauce. Indulge in the harmonious blend of rich, buttery flavors and the natural sweetness of the scallops. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of the second recipe, featuring sea scallops pan-seared with crispy prosciutto and a refreshing lemon-butter sauce. Each bite promises a delightful symphony of textures and tastes, leaving you craving more.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SCALLOPS IN SHELLS
For a formal dinner, try my elegant scallop recipe as a first course. The buttery scallops are served in a rich, creamy sauce. -Jane Rossen, Binghamton, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 45m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add scallops and poach, uncovered, 6 minutes or until firm and opaque. Drain scallops, reserving 1 cup liquid., Sprinkle scallops with salt. In a large skillet, saute mushrooms and shallots in butter until tender. Add scallops; cook 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside., For sauce, in a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk and reserved poaching liquid. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese, sherry, salt, lemon juice, pepper and lemon zest; add to skillet., Preheat oven to 375°. Divide scallop mixture among eight scallop shells. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle over tops. Place on an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 8-12 minutes or until crumbs are golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calories, Fat 13g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 69mg cholesterol, Sodium 764mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
SCALLOPS STEAMED IN THEIR SHELLS
Provided by Jonathan Reynolds
Categories appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 12 appetizer servings, 4 main courses
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and salt and cook until very soft but not brown, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
- Scrub the scallop shells well. With a thin, sharp knife, pry open the shell, slip the knife inside and cut through the large white muscle tab to release one side of the shell. Open the shell fully and pull out and discard everything but the white muscle and the reddish roe. Rinse under cold running water to remove all grit. Pat inside and outside of shells dry. Repeat with the remaining scallops.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll out the pastry and cut into 12 strips, 1 by 13 inches long. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
- Place some of the leek mixture and 1 teaspoon of butter into each scallop shell. Use a strip of pastry to seal the shells tightly shut. Leave no gaps. Brush the dough with the egg yolks beaten with 1 teaspoon water. (If you can't get scallops in their shells, use 12 large sea scallops and place them in 12 scallop shells, available from kitchen-supply stores.) Scallops can also be baked with their shells tightly wrapped in aluminum foil.
- Spread kosher salt evenly on two baking sheets, nestle the shells in the salt and bake 13 minutes, or until pastry is browned and puffed. Serve immediately on warm plates.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 298, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 22 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 241 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
SEARED SEA SCALLOPS
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, oregano, thyme and lemon pepper. Roll scallops in flour mixture until lightly coated on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over high heat. Add 4 scallops to the pan and sear on all sides (about 2 minutes for each side). After turning scallops, add 1 tablespoon parsley and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Remove scallops from pan and place on a plate in the oven to keep warm until ready to serve.
- Repeat until remaining scallops are cooked, tossing each batch with parsley and lemon juice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.1 calories, Carbohydrate 15.4 g, Cholesterol 19.8 mg, Fat 7.5 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 1250.8 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
Tips:
- Selecting Fresh Scallops: Choose sea scallops that have a sweet, briny aroma and no fishy smell. The shells should be tightly closed, with no gaps or cracks.
- Preparing Sea Scallops: Before cooking, remove the orange roe from the side of the scallop and the small muscle on the side. Rinse the scallops thoroughly and pat dry.
- Choosing the Right Cooking Method: You can cook sea scallops in various ways, including grilling, pan-frying, baking, or steaming. Broiling is an excellent method that allows the scallops to cook evenly while retaining their natural flavors and juices.
- Seasoning and Flavoring: Keep the seasoning simple to allow the natural flavors of the scallops to shine through. Salt, pepper, garlic, butter, lemon juice, and herbs are classic choices that pair well with scallops.
- Cooking Time: Scallops cook quickly, so it's important to monitor them closely to prevent overcooking. Overcooked scallops become tough and rubbery, so cook them just until they are opaque throughout.
- Serving Suggestions: Broiled sea scallops can be served as an appetizer or main course. Pair them with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, or a simple salad. You can also add them to pasta, risotto, or seafood stew.
Conclusion:
Broiled sea scallops are an elegant and delicious dish that can be prepared in just a few minutes. By following these tips, you can ensure that your scallops are cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. Whether you're serving them as an appetizer or main course, broiled sea scallops are sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
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