Chili Crusted Sea Scallops Recipes

CHILI SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Heat the sesame and vegetable oils in a skillet over moderate heat. Very lightly dust the scallops with cornstarch and saute them, on one side only until quite crusty on one side. When crusty, put a lid on the skillet and finish steaming the scallops by steaming them without overcooking them.
• Remove them from skillet and transfer them, browned side on top of the lentils. To the skillet add the rice vinegar, chili paste and 2 teaspoons soy sauce and reduce until syrupy, spoon over the chili scallops and dust with chives.

RED CHILE CRUSTED SEA SCALLOPS WITH MANGO TORTILLA SALAD AND CITRUS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the Scallops: Combine ancho, cumin, salt and pepper in a medium shallow bowl. Heat oil in a large saute pan until smoking. Dredge 1 side of each scallop in the spice mixture. Place the scallops in the heated pan, chile side down and cook for 20 seconds. Reduce the heat low, turn the scallops and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from pan and reserve.
• For the Blue Corn Tortilla Strips: Heat oil to 375 degrees F. Fry the tortilla strips in batches, remove to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt.
• For the Salad: Place greens in a large bowl, drizzle with a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place the greens on a large platter. Arrange the scallops around the platter. Mound the fried tortillas in the center of the plate and garnish with the red and yellow peppers and cilantro. Drizzle everything with more of the vinaigrette and serve.
• Combine juices, basil and onion in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until emulsified and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

CURRY-CRUSTED SEA SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Rinse and drain scallops, and pat dry with a paper towel. Toss with the curry powder, coating all sides.
• Heat a nonstick skillet on high and spray with olive oil. Saute scallops 3 minutes per side. Add salt and pepper to taste and remove to a bowl.
• Add 1/4 cup water and the apricot jam to the skillet; simmer 30 seconds, stirring to melt jam. Add cream and simmer 1 minute to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon sauce over scallops and sprinkle scallions on top.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ASIAN LIME-CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak skewers in water 30 minutes.
• Pound garlic, chile, and sugar to a fine paste with a mortar and pestle.
• Stir paste together with vinegar, fish sauce, water, and lime juice.
• (Alternatively, purée sauce ingredients together in a blender.) Pat scallops dry.
• Thread 4 on each skewer then brush both sides with oil (2 teaspoons total for 4 skewers).
• Season scallops with salt and pepper.
• Brush a 12-inch nonstick skillet with remaining teaspoon oil and heat over high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Sear scallops, turning over once, until just cooked through, about 6 minutes total.
• Serve scallops with sauce spooned over.
• Cooks' note: Sauce may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• Bring to room temperature before serving.

CUMIN CRUSTED SEA SCALLOPS WITH MUSTARD AND GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Combine chili, cumin, salt and pepper in a medium shallow bowl.
• Dredge one side of each scallop in the spice mixture.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over high heat.
• Add mustard seeds, cardamom and star anise.
• Place the scallops in the heated pan, spice side down and cook for 3 minutes (until bottom edge is brown).
• Reduce the heat to low, turn the scallops for 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Remove from pan and arrange the scallops around the plate.
• Drizzle the spice oil drippings from the pan over the scallops and serve.