Indulge in a culinary journey with our delectable Seared Scallops with Crispy Leeks recipe, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Perfectly seared scallops, with their tender interiors and golden-brown exteriors, are nestled atop a bed of crispy leeks, caramelized to perfection. Each bite offers a symphony of flavors, from the sweet and savory scallops to the earthy, slightly bitter notes of the leeks. This dish is not only visually stunning but also incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for a special occasion or an elegant weeknight meal.
Alongside the main recipe, we also offer variations to cater to different preferences and dietary needs. For those who prefer a richer flavor, our Seared Scallops with Brown Butter and Capers recipe incorporates the nutty, browned butter and tangy capers to create a more robust dish. If you're looking for a lighter option, our Seared Scallops with Citrus and Avocado Salsa recipe is a refreshing take on this classic dish, featuring a vibrant salsa made from citrus fruits and avocado. And for those with gluten-free dietary restrictions, our Gluten-Free Seared Scallops with Roasted Vegetables recipe provides an equally delicious alternative, using almond flour instead of breadcrumbs for the crispy coating.
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 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.
SEARED SCALLOPS WITH LEEKS & LEMON CHILLI BUTTER
Scallops love a bit of lemon and chilli plus, they are ready in a flash. The perfect way to impress last-minute guests
Provided by Jane Hornby
Categories Starter
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- For the butter, mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl, then beat well with a wooden spoon until there are no lumps of butter left. Spoon onto a large sheet of cling film, then wrap tightly in a sausage shape. Chill until firm (or put in the freezer if you're short of time).
- Set up a pan with a steamer or suspend a heatproof colander over the top of a pan. Cut the leeks in half lengthways, then slice into long strips, about the thickness of tagliatelle. Cover, then steam for 6 mins until tender, with no signs of squeakiness. Season, then set aside.
- Dry the scallops on kitchen paper and season. Heat a heavy-based pan, then add the oil. Once hot, add the scallops, keeping them close together - this helps the sides to stay straight and tall rather than sagging. Sizzle for 2 mins until caramelised and you can see the heat creeping up the outside. Turn over with a palette knife, then fry for 1 min more. Take off the heat, then add a few good slices of the butter to the pan, spooning over the scallops as it melts.
- To serve, wind a nest of warm leeks in the centre of 4 plates, top each with 3 scallops, spoon over the buttery sauce (it looks smart trickled around the plate), then sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Squeeze over a little lemon juice before you tuck in.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 588 calories, Fat 56 grams fat, SaturatedFat 33 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 3 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 19 grams protein, Sodium 1.47 milligram of sodium
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:
- Choose fresh, high-quality scallops. Look for scallops that are plump and have a slightly sweet smell. Avoid scallops that are slimy or have a strong fishy odor.
- Pat the scallops dry before searing them. This will help them to sear evenly and prevent them from steaming.
- Use a hot skillet to sear the scallops. This will help to create a nice crust on the outside of the scallops while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet. If you overcrowd the skillet, the scallops will not sear properly and will end up steamed instead.
- Cook the scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the scallops, as they will become tough and chewy.
- Serve the scallops immediately with your favorite sides. Seared scallops are delicious served with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.
Conclusion:
Seared scallops are a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. They are easy to make and can be ready in just a few minutes. With a few simple tips, you can make sure that your seared scallops turn out perfectly every time.
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