Embark on a culinary journey to savor the exquisite Seared Scallops with Creamy Spinach and Leeks, an exceptional dish that marries the tender, succulent scallops with a symphony of flavors. The scallops, seared to perfection, boast a golden-brown crust that yields to a soft, yielding interior, while the creamy spinach and leeks provide a velvety, indulgent complement. This article presents a collection of delectable recipes that revolve around this main course, offering variations to tantalize diverse palates.
The featured recipe, Seared Scallops with Creamy Spinach and Leeks, guides you through the art of preparing this classic dish. Discover the secrets to searing scallops with precision, ensuring a beautifully caramelized exterior and a tender, juicy center. The recipe also unveils the technique for creating a luscious creamy spinach and leek sauce, enriched with white wine, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Venture beyond the main course with a selection of complementary recipes that elevate the scallops experience. Learn how to craft a refreshing Citrus Salad with Fennel and Avocado, a vibrant accompaniment that cuts through the richness of the scallops. Elevate your meal with a side of Sautéed Mushrooms with Garlic and Herbs, a medley of earthy flavors that harmonize with the delicate scallops.
Indulge in a culinary masterpiece with Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Butter, a simple yet elegant dish that showcases the natural sweetness of asparagus. Experiment with a flavorful Scallop Ceviche, a Peruvian-inspired appetizer that combines the scallops with zesty citrus and aromatic cilantro. Satisfy your sweet cravings with a delectable Scallop and Bacon Skewer with Maple Glaze, a playful combination of sweet and savory flavors.
Enrich your culinary repertoire with this collection of recipes centered around Seared Scallops with Creamy Spinach and Leeks. Each recipe offers a unique twist on the classic dish, promising a delightful journey for your taste buds.
PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH MELTED LEEKS
The pairing of melted leeks with juicy scallops and a spicy olive relish is elegant and original, and it comes together in just twenty minutes. Get the recipe for Pan-Seared Scallops With Melted Leeks.
Provided by Paige Grandjean
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Stir together olives, chile, lemon zest and juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a small bowl.
- Heat 4 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium. Add leeks, garlic, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 12 to 16 minutes. Divide mixture among plates. Wipe skillet clean.
- Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet over high. Season scallops with remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add scallops to skillet and cook, flipping once, until golden brown and mostly opaque, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Serve scallops over leeks with olive mixture and parsley.
SCALLOPS WITH LEEKS
Steps:
- Remove the scallops from their shells, or ask your fishmonger to do this. Separate the white flesh from the corals, and detach the hard skin around the white and the tiny black sack from the coral. Wash clean under a running tap. Halve the whites horizontally. Leave to dry off on some paper towels.
- Wash the leeks and discard the green parts. Slice the white stems lengthwise into narrow strips about 2 inches long. Place in a saucepan with 1-ounce of the butter, a pinch of salt and 8 tablespoons of water. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Keep hot.
- In another pan melt the rest of the butter and then gently cook the shallots until they are soft. Add the wine, vermouth and scallops with their corals. Bring just to the boiling point, then turn the heat very low and simmer for exactly 2 minutes, or less if the scallops are small.
- Remove the leeks from their liquid using a slotted spoon and place in the heated dish. With the same spoon place the scallops on top. Add the leek juice to the scallop juice and boil until the liquid is reduced to 8 tablespoons. Pour in the cream, return to the boil and bubble for a moment or two. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over the scallops. Scatter with the chopped parsley.
SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CREAMY SPINACH AND LEEKS
Categories Shellfish
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Melt 1/2 Tbs. of the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the spinach and cook, tossing with tongs, until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Transfer with tongs to a colander set over a bowl; let drain and cool slightly. Repeat with the remaining spinach (you don't need to add more butter). Squeeze handfuls of the spinach to release as much liquid as possible. Discard any liquid in the skillet. Melt the remaining 2 Tbs. butter over medium heat and then add the leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add the wine, raise the heat to medium high, and cook until almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until it's thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Season with 1/2 tsp. salt, a generous grind of pepper, and the nutmeg. Stir in the cheese and gently fold in the spinach. Keep warm. Pat the scallops dry and remove the side muscle if still attached. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 2 tsp. of the oil over medium heat until shimmering hot. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Add half of the scallops to the pan and cook, undisturbed, until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until just opaque in the center, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 2 tsp. of oil and the scallops. Serve the scallops over the spinach. nutrition information (per serving): Calories (kcal): 420; Fat (g): 21; Fat Calories (kcal): 190; Saturated Fat (g): 10; Protein (g): 32; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 6; Carbohydrates (g): 24; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 3; Sodium (mg): 1220; Cholesterol (mg): 105; Fiber (g): 5;
PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH SPINACH
Make and share this Pan-Seared Scallops With Spinach recipe from Food.com.
Provided by loof751
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan and drain well on paper towels. Remove all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet.
- Rinse scallops and pat dry. Combine flour and cajun seasoning; add scallops and toss to coat.
- Cook scallops in hot drippings in skillet about 6 minutes or until browned, turning once.
- Remove scallops from skillet. Deglaze skillet with white wine.
- Add spinach to liquid in skillet. Cover and cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Add vinegar and toss to coat evenly.
- Return scallops to skillet and heat through. Crumble bacon and sprinkle over scallops.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148.1, Fat 3.6, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 31.4, Sodium 559.4, Carbohydrate 10.9, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 1.6, Protein 17.1
SEARED SCALLOPS WITH LEEKS AND CAVIAR SAUCE
Steps:
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add leeks and sauté until tender but not brown, about 20 minutes. Add Champagne and boil until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 4 minutes. Transfer leek mixture to strainer set over bowl. Press on leeks to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer leeks to small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Return liquid to same skillet. Add cream and boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 4 minutes. Transfer sauce to bowl; cool 1 hour.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add scallops to skillet and sauté until just cooked through and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side for each batch. Transfer to plate.
- Spoon leeks in 5 small mounds around rim of each plate, spacing equally. Top each mound with 1 scallop. Stir caviar and tarragon into sauce. Spoon sauce into center of each plate.
Tips:
- Choose the freshest scallops possible. Look for scallops that are plump and have a slightly briny smell. Avoid scallops that are slimy or have a strong fishy odor.
- Sear the scallops quickly over high heat. This will help to create a nice crust and prevent them from becoming tough.
- Be careful not to overcook the scallops. They should be cooked through but still slightly translucent in the center.
- Serve the scallops immediately with your favorite sides. Some popular options include creamy spinach and leeks, risotto, or grilled vegetables.
Conclusion:
Seared scallops are a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish. They can be served as an appetizer or main course and can be paired with a variety of sides. With a little practice, you can easily make restaurant-quality scallops at home.
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