Scallops With Watercress Salad Recipes

MARINATED SCALLOPS AND WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Carefully clean scallops of any roe, muscle, or brown connective tissue, which can become tough when marinated. Cut scallops into 1/4-inch horizontal slices. Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Add scallops and toss to coat. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator 5 minutes or as long as 30 minutes any longer and the acid in the lime juice would overcook the seafood.
• Meanwhile, prepare salad: whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl. Tear watercress into bitesize pieces and toss with dressing. Divide salad among 6 serving plates. Arrange a circle of scallops in the center of each. Thinly slice avocado halves into strips lengthwise and garnish plates along the side. Spoon leftover marinade over scallops and avocado. Serve cold.

SCALLOPS WITH SALAD GREENS

Steps:

• If sea scallops are used, cut them crosswise in half. If bay scallops are used, leave them whole. The scallops may be cooked in a skillet or, preferably, on a gas- or wood-fired grill. If they are to be cooked on a grill, preheat the grill until it is quite hot. Sprinkle the scallops with salt and pepper. If they are to be cooked on the grill, rub them all over with 1 tablespoon of oil. Set aside.
• To prepare the lettuce, corn salad, watercress and radicchio, pull off and discard any tough stems and blemished leaves. Rinse and drain thoroughly. Put the greens in a bowl.
• Put 3 tablespoons of oil in a mixing bowl, and add the 2 tablespoons vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Beat thoroughly with a wire whisk. Pour the sauce over the greens and toss.
• If the scallops are to be grilled, put them on the grill, and cook briefly about 1 minute or slightly longer. Cooking times will depend on the size of the scallops. Turn the scallops and cook on the second side 1 minute or longer. If the scallops are to be cooked in a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil, and when it is quite hot, add the scallops. Shaking the skillet and stirring, cook for 2 minutes or longer. Do not overcook.
• Place the salad greens in an oval or circular serving dish. Arrange the scallops neatly around the greens. Reserve any leftover oil in the skillet.
• Heat the butter in a small saucepan until it is hazelnut brown. Do not allow it to blacken. Line a saucepan with a small strainer, and strain in the butter. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vinegar.
• Add any leftover oil from the skillet and blend. Spoon this sauce over the scallops. If desired, sprinkle with truffle shavings and serve.

SAUTEED SCALLOPS WITH WATERCRESS AND CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk together well the mustard, the vinegar,
• 2 tablespoons of the oil, and salt and pepper to taste. In a skillet (preferably non-stick) just large enough to hold the scallops in one layer heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it sauté the scallops, patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper, for 2 minutes on each side, or until they are just golden and cooked through. With a slotted spoon transfer the scallops to a bowl and keep them warm. To the skillet add the shallot and about 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, until the shallot is softened. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the scallops, and shake the skillet to coat them with the vinaigrette. In another bowl toss the remaining vinaigrette with the watercress, the carrot, and the corn, divide the salad between 2 dinner plates, and arrange half the scallops around each salad.

SEA SCALLOP SALAD WITH MEYER LEMON AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette: Put lemon and shallot in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, add vinegar, and stir to dissolve salt. Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Taste and correct for salt and vinegar. Set aside at room temperature.
• Season sea scallops on both sides with salt and pepper. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil.
• Place a wide cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, and swirl to coat bottom of pan. When oil looks wavy, place scallops carefully in pan without crowding. Adjust heat to allow scallops to sizzle briskly. Do not move scallops for at least 2 minutes so that a crisp skin can form.
• After 2 minutes, check to see how scallops are browning. Adjust heat if necessary (if heat is too high, scallops will blacken instead). It should take 4 to 5 minutes to get a well-browned surface. Turn scallops over with tongs or a small metal spatula, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until firm and cooked through. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel, keeping scallops browned-side up.
• Divide radicchio, endive and arugula among 4 large salad plates. Place 2 warm scallops in the center of each plate. Stir vinaigrette vigorously and spoon about a teaspoon on each scallop. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette evenly over each salad. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, and serve immediately.