Seared Sea Scallops With Pistachio Dressing Recipes

SEARED SEA SCALLOPS WITH PISTACHIO DRESSING

Steps:

• In a mortar, crush the anise seeds with 1/4 teaspoon salt and the garlic. Place pistachios and tarragon in a food processor and process until finely ground. Add anise mixture, oil, sherry and lemon juice. Process to a thick paste. Transfer to a small saucepan. Whisk in stock or water. Heat on low until tepid. Turn off heat.
• Heat a cast iron skillet or a griddle to very hot. Dry scallops. Brush a slick of oil on the pan, lower heat a bit and place scallops in the pan. Sear on medium-high until handsomely browned, 2 to 3 minutes. You'll know when the scallops have browned enough when they can be lifted with your spatula without ruinous sticking. Lightly dust scallops with salt, then turn them. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until scallops are browned on the bottom and just cooked through, another 6 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, gently warm the sauce. Whisk and add a smidgen of salt if needed.
• Spoon some of the sauce in the center of each of 4 warm dinner plates. Poise 3 to 4 of the scallops around the edges of the sauce pool and garnish with tarragon.

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.

SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Remove the small side muscle from the scallops, rinse with cold water and thoroughly pat dry.
• Add the butter and oil to a 12 to 14-inch saute pan on high heat. Salt and pepper the scallops. Once the fat begins to smoke, gently add the scallops, making sure they are not touching each other. Sear the scallops for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. The scallops should have a 1/4-inch golden crust on each side while still being translucent in the center. Serve immediately.

SEARED SEA SCALLOP SALAD WITH HONEY-LIME DRESSING RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a nonreactive bowl whisk together juice, honey, white wine or rice vinegar, and salt until the honey is completely incorporated.
• Taste and adjust accordingly.
• Set aside.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat oil in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add a few scallops to skillet, being careful not to crowd the pan (if scallops are too close, moisture they emit can't escape, and scallops will steam, not sear).
• Cook 2 to 4 minutes per side (and at least 30 seconds longer than you think) until golden brown on outside and scallops can be turned easily.
• Turn and cook just until opaque throughout (remove 1 scallop and cut it open to check).
• Transfer to a plate; repeat with remaining scallops.
• To serve, arrange greens and vegetables on individual plates. Place scallops on top, whisk dressing to recombine, then drizzle sparingly over top. Recipe Source: by Katherine Fausset, et al; (Villard Books) Reprinted with permission.

FOOL PROOF SEARED SEA SCALLOPS

Steps:

• 1. There are two critical points here. First, you need a heavy cast iron skillet. I don't know of anything else that will give you the same sear. Second, don't be timid about the preheating, it has to be HOT.
• 2. I start defrosting the scallops by placing them on a paper towel lined plate, covering with plastic wrap and placing in the fridge in the morning. About an hour before time to cook, remove them from the fridge. They probably still have their ice coating but are soft to the touch. They're almost defrosted. Rinse the ice off and dry well with paper towels. Place back on fresh towels on the plate and let come to room temp while getting dinner ready.
• 3. Place the cast iron skillet on medium high heat for about 15 minutes. No oil yet. When it's screaming hot add the oil and reduce to medium heat.
• 4. Salt and pepper the scallops and place in the oil. DO NOT CROWD, I only do 5 at a time. DO NOT try to move them. Let them sit and sear for 2 to 3 minutes. They will begin to release when they are ready to turn. Turn them over and continue to cook approx 2 minutes. The second side will not get as brown. Use tongs to gently squeeze and test that they are still somewhat soft when squeezed. Overcook them and they become rubber.
• 5. Remove to a warmed serving plate and cook the rest. Add more oil if needed, but watch your temperature, keep it hot.
• 6. After the last ones are cooked, drain any remaining oil. Add the butter and let it brown. This will go quickly. Remove from heat, stir in the grated lemon peel and pour over the scallops.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted, shelled raw natural pistachios and cook, stirring often, until nuts are deeply toasted, about 2 minutes. Let cool. Chop pistachios. Place in a small bowl; toss with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme. Season 8 large sea scallops (side muscle removed) with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add scallops; sear until crusty brown, about 2 minutes per side. Roll scallops in pistachio mixture.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH GARLIC BASIL BUTTER

Steps:

• Use a paper towel to pat the scallops dry. Dust one side of the scallops with a small amount of flour, and then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pan. When the oil is hot and shimmery, carefully place the scallops, seasoned-side-down, into the pan. Cook, without moving them until browned, about 2 minutes.
• While the first side is browning, dust the unseasoned side of the scallops with a bit of flour and season them with salt and pepper.
• Flip the scallops - if any stick to the pan, wait a few more seconds then try again, gently wiggling them side to side to help release them.
• Add the butter and garlic to the pan, and then swirl the butter around the pan as it melts. Cook another minute or two then take the pan off of the heat. Stir in the basil leaves and lemon slices. Serve.

BALSAMIC-GLAZED SEA SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Pat scallops thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and ensure a good sear. Combine seafood seasoning, salt, and pepper and use to lightly season both sides of the scallops.
• Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops to the skillet, being careful not to crowd. Cook until golden brown and a crust starts to form, about 3 minutes per side. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid steaming the scallops and be careful not to overcook. Remove from the skillet and cover to keep warm.
• Add white wine, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom. Cook until glaze is slightly thick and syrupy, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Move scallops to a serving plate, drizzle glaze on top, and garnish with chopped tarragon.