Moroccan Spiced Scallops With Tomato Couscous Recipes

MOROCCAN SEA SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Coat grill with nonstick spray and preheat to medium-high (I'm guessing about 350ºF on a Foreman grill).
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the first ten ingredients (from yogurt to fresh ground pepper). Add scallops and toss to coat. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
• In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shallots and fresh ginger. Saute for about 3 minutes, taking care not to brown it.
• In a food processor, pulse the tomatoes, vinegar, honey and lemon zest. While processor is running, drizzle in the warm shallot-ginger mixture. Once blended, transfer this to a mixing bowl and stir in parsley. Season with salt to taste. Set aside (at room temperature) until serving time.
• Remove scallops from marinade and discard remaining marinade. Place scallops on grill and sear for 2-3 minutes, then turn them over and grill for 3-5 minutes more (until cooked through. don't overcook or you will have little rubber scallops).
• Spoon approximately half a cup of vinaigrette onto each serving plate, and top with three scallops per plate.

MOROCCAN-SPICED SCALLOPS WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Mix first 3 ingredients in small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons spice mixture and sauté 30 seconds. Stir in 21/2 cups vegetable broth and lentils. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer until lentils are tender, adding more broth by tablespoonfuls if dry and stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Sprinkle scallops with salt, pepper, and remaining spice mixture; add to skillet and cook until browned on both sides and just opaque in centers, about 2 minutes per side. Top lentil mixture with scallops and sprinkle with additional cilantro.
• Also known as masoor dal; sold at some supermarkets and at natural foods stores and Indian markets. If unavailable, use green lentils and increase cooking time to about 30 minutes.

MOROCCAN-SPICED SEARED SCALLOPS WITH GREEN GRAPE AND LEMON RELISH

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the lemon in strips (yellow part only). Reserve the lemon. In a small saucepan, combine the lemon zest with 1/2 cup water and 1 tsp. salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until the liquid reduces to about 1 Tbs., about 10 minutes. Drain, rinse, drain again, and pat dry. Finely mince the lemon zest and combine it with the grapes, 2 Tbs. of the olive oil, scallions, cilantro, and mint in a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger.
• Pat the scallops dry. Season them liberally with salt and pepper and coat them with the spice mixture.
• Heat 1 Tbs. of the olive oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of the scallops and cook, turning once, until seared on the outside but still translucent in the center, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a warm plate. Repeat with the remaining 1 Tbs. oil and scallops.
• Divide the scallops among 4 plates and serve with the relish. Cut the reserved lemon into quarters and squeeze over the scallops and relish. Serve immediately.

MOROCCAN-SPICED SCALLOPS WITH TOMATO COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan bring water, raisins, stick cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper to boiling; stir in couscous & reduce heat.
• Cover; simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender; discard stick cinnamon.
• Stir in tomatoes, mint, and lemon peel.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl toss together scallops, cumin, coriander, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
• In a heavy large skillet (cast iron works well) cook scallops, half at a time, in hot oil for 5 to 6 minutes or until browned and opaque, turning once.
• To serve, spoon couscous mixture onto a platter; top with scallops.
• Serve with chutney, if desired.