Pan Seared Scallops – Barefeet within the Kitchen

Elegant sufficient for a elaborate event and quick sufficient to serve any evening of the week, this scallop recipe may grow to be your new favourite option to eat seafood.

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

Pan Seared Scallops

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

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

After I lastly put aside my worry, I couldn’t consider how simple 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 simple recipe.

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

Easy methods to Clear Scallops

Nowhere close to as finicky as lobster or crab, scallops are simple 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 like that there’s no de-tailing or bone elimination concerned and nearly no prep time. The one prep for the scallops is definitely non-compulsory. Test over the scallops as you’re dealing with them and take away the little side-muscle if you happen to discover any nonetheless connected.

This muscle appears to be like like a bit of tag of tissue on the facet of the scallop. It feels more durable than the remainder of the scallop and will likely be a bit robust and chewy when cooked. It’s simply superb if you happen to depart it on (and generally it’s already been eliminated), some individuals are bothered by it and plenty of others aren’t.

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 utterly dry.

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

Easy methods to Pan Sear Scallops

Let the scallops cook dinner within the oil on the primary facet for a few minutes till flippantly 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 light-weight buttery style!

Easy methods 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 greatest, versus “moist” varieties which can be packed in a salty brine as a preservative.

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

Easy methods to Cook dinner Scallops

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

After I make scallops, I cook dinner them for almost two minutes on all sides. The precise time will rely upon the warmth of your pan and the scale 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 flippantly browned or once they grow to be 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 grow to be rubbery and hard with little taste. Nobody desires that.

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

Scallops have grow to be a brand new favourite for a pleasant dinner at residence over the previous 12 months. My children completely love them too.

Are you able to cook dinner scallops forward of time?

Seared scallops ought to be served instantly for greatest taste. Whilst you can completely retailer leftovers within the fridge and reheat gently within the microwave, they gained’t be as beautiful as when first cooked.

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

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

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. Strive 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}