Pan Seared Scallops – Barefeet within the Kitchen

Elegant sufficient for a elaborate event and quick sufficient to serve any night time of the week, this scallop recipe would possibly change into your new favourite method to eat seafood.

Restaurant high quality scallops are simpler to make at house than you ever thought! Every chunk of those scallops has a lightweight and almost-sweet taste, highlighted by the caramelized crust on the skin.

Pan Seared Scallops

Much like an oyster or a clam however much more tender with a touch of candy taste, recent scallops are irresistible when cooked the precise means. Pan searing is by far my favourite method to take pleasure in scallops.

For years, I solely ate scallops at eating places. Since scallops are extra expensive than shrimp and most different seafood I cook dinner, I used to be nervous about losing my funding by cooking them poorly at house.

Once I lastly put aside my concern, I couldn’t consider how straightforward and fast it was to cook dinner seared scallops! My entire household loves scallops now.

Whether or not you take pleasure in indulging in scallops if you go to a restaurant otherwise you’ve by no means tried them earlier than, I do know you’re going to like this straightforward recipe.

A restaurant-quality meal made proper in your individual kitchen. Served for a romantic date night time or a household meal, these seared scallops are certain to impress!

Tips on how to Clear Scallops

Nowhere close to as finicky as lobster or crab, scallops are straightforward sufficient for even a newbie cook dinner. You’ll be able to even get them ready and able to cook dinner at any grocery retailer with a seafood counter.

I really like that there’s no de-tailing or bone removing concerned and nearly no prep time. The one prep for the scallops is definitely elective. Examine over the scallops as you’re dealing with them and take away the little side-muscle in case you discover any nonetheless connected.

This muscle appears like just a little tag of tissue on the facet of the scallop. It feels harder than the remainder of the scallop and will probably be a bit robust and chewy when cooked. It’s simply high-quality in case you depart it on (and typically it’s already been eliminated), some persons are bothered by it and plenty of others usually are not.

Simply rinse the scallops beneath cool operating water and pat them dry. I place them on a paper towel-lined plate or small sheet pan after rinsing them after which use one other paper towel to verify they’re fully dry.

As soon as the scallops are dry and season with just a little salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil right into a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high warmth and add the scallops.

Tips on how to Pan Sear Scallops

Let the scallops cook dinner within the oil on the primary facet for a few minutes till calmly browned. They are going to cook dinner rapidly, inside a few minutes, so don’t stroll away from the pan!

Take away from the pan and serve instantly. Seared and served recent, scallops are by no means fishy or robust. You’ll love the caramelized crust and lightweight buttery style!

Tips on how to Select Scallops

Search for the freshest caught scallops you’ll find! They need to be spherical, plump, and about 2-inches in diameter with a creamy white shade (not yellow).

For this recipe, “dry” scallops work finest, versus “moist” varieties which might be packed in a salty brine as a preservative.

Whereas recent is most popular, you possibly can actually make this recipe with frozen scallops. Simply allow them to thaw totally within the fridge and dry nicely earlier than searing.

Tips on how to Prepare dinner Scallops

The concept behind searing scallops is that they cook dinner rapidly leading to a calmly crisped crust and a flaky melt-in-your-mouth inside. You wish to cook dinner them quick at a excessive warmth.

Once I make scallops, I cook dinner them for nearly two minutes on both sides. The precise time will rely on the warmth of your pan and the dimensions of your scallops.

Uncertain when it’s time to flip the scallops? They’re prepared to show once they launch from the pan and are calmly browned or once they change into considerably agency to the contact. In case your finger is sinking into the scallop if you gently poke it, they want a bit extra time.

Watch out to not cook dinner the scallops for too lengthy! When overcooked, scallops change into rubbery and difficult with little taste. Nobody needs that.

Whereas extra delicate than shrimp and salmon (the 2 seafood dishes I make most frequently), I’ve been pleasantly shocked by how straightforward it’s to cook dinner scallops so long as I stored an eye fixed on the time.

Scallops have change into a brand new favourite for a pleasant dinner at house over the previous yr. My children completely love them too.

Are you able to cook dinner scallops forward of time?

Seared scallops needs to be served instantly for finest taste. Whilst you can completely retailer leftovers within the fridge and reheat gently within the microwave, they received’t be as pretty as when first cooked.

Fortunately, they’re fast as lightning to cook dinner so you possibly can have recent seared scallops on the desk in much less time than it takes to make nearly another protein.

Wait to cook dinner the scallops as the very last thing you do earlier than serving the meal. Put together every part else first, in order that the scallops may be served instantly after cooking, whereas they’re at their finest.

Serve these scallops with a facet of Italian Herb Rice, Lemon Butter Pasta, or Rice Pilaf and a inexperienced salad. Or serve scallops with Lemon Butter Pasta and this Peach Caprese Salad. Attempt Shrimp Cocktail as an appetizer for a meal that can have everybody smiling.

Searching for extra easy seafood recipes to make dinnertime a breeze? Youngsters and adults alike love the Smoked Salmon Pasta with Pine Nuts and this Chipotle Lime Salmon.

{initially printed 2/10/21 – recipe notes and pictures up to date 11/13/24}