Seared Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sea Scallops Recipes

PAN SEARED SCALLOP POLENTA ROUNDS WITH A SUN-DRIED TOMATO ARTICHOKE PESTO

Steps:

• Using a blender, combine all of the pesto ingredients and blend until roughly chopped, but do not pureed.
• Slice the polenta into 1/4-inch thick slices. Using a circular cutter, cut out 16 rounds.
• Coat a nonstick pan with olive oil and put over medium-low heat. Add the polenta rounds and sear them until crispy.
• Heat another nonstick pan, coated with olive oil over medium heat and add the scallops. Sear them on each side until they have a nice brown caramelization. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the polenta rounds on a platter and top each with a scallop. Garnish with pesto and serve.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• If the sun-dried tomatoes are moist, dry in a 200 degree oven for about 15 minutes, until dry.
• Grind the sun-dried tomatoes in a blender until they became a smooth powder; remove from the blender and set aside.
• Add the basil (reserve 2 sprigs for garnish), orange juice, and lemon juice to the blender. Blend on medium speed while drizzling 1/4 cup of the olive oil into the mixture.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat; add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the garlic. Saute the garlic for 15 seconds (do not burn), then add the zucchini. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes or until the zucchini softens. Season with salt and pepper. Add the tomato, then take off the heat.
• Heat another nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and all but 1 teaspoon of the reserved sun-dried tomato powder. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and add the scallops slowly to prevent spattering.
• Cook for about 3 minutes, then flip to the other side. Let cook for another 2 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• To serve, mound the zucchini mixture in the middle of two dinner plates. Place 5 scallops around each mound. Drizzle the vinaigrette around the dish. Garnish with basil sprig and a sprinkling of tomato powder.