Pan Seared Scallops – Barefeet within the Kitchen

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

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

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 proper means. Pan searing is by far my favourite approach to get pleasure from scallops.

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

Once I lastly put aside my worry, I couldn’t imagine how simple and fast it was to prepare dinner seared scallops! My complete household loves scallops now.

Whether or not you get pleasure from indulging in scallops whenever 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 night time or a household meal, these seared scallops are certain to impress!

Easy methods to Clear Scallops

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

I 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 should you discover any nonetheless connected.

This muscle seems like just a little tag of tissue on the facet of the scallop. It feels harder than the remainder of the scallop and can be a bit powerful and chewy when cooked. It’s simply fantastic should you depart it on (and generally it’s already been eliminated), some persons are bothered by it and plenty of others aren’t.

Simply rinse the scallops below cool working 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.

Easy methods to Pan Sear Scallops

Let the scallops prepare dinner within the oil on the primary facet for a few minutes till frivolously browned. They may prepare 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 powerful. 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 finest, versus “moist” varieties which are packed in a salty brine as a preservative.

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

Easy methods to Prepare dinner Scallops

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

Once I make scallops, I prepare dinner them for nearly two minutes on all sides. The precise time will depend upon the warmth of your pan and the dimensions of your scallops.

Not sure when it’s time to flip the scallops? They’re prepared to show once they launch from the pan and are frivolously browned or once they change into considerably agency to the contact. In case your finger is sinking into the scallop whenever you gently poke it, they want a bit extra time.

Watch out to not prepare dinner the scallops for too lengthy! When overcooked, scallops change into rubbery and hard 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 simple it’s to prepare dinner scallops so long as I saved a watch on the time.

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

Are you able to prepare dinner scallops forward of time?

Seared scallops ought 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 prepare dinner so you may have recent seared scallops on the desk in much less time than it takes to make nearly some other protein.

Wait to prepare dinner the scallops as the very last thing you do earlier than serving the meal. Put together all the pieces else first, in order that the scallops will 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. 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 revealed 2/10/21 – recipe notes and photographs up to date 11/13/24}