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 change into your new favourite method to eat seafood.

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

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 suitable manner. Pan searing is by far my favourite method to get pleasure from 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 dwelling.

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

Whether or not you get pleasure from 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 personal kitchen. Served for a romantic date evening or a household meal, these seared scallops are certain to impress!

Clear Scallops

Nowhere close to as finicky as lobster or crab, scallops are straightforward sufficient for even a newbie cook dinner. You possibly can 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 elimination concerned and nearly no prep time. The one prep for the scallops is definitely elective. Verify 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 a little bit tag of tissue on the aspect of the scallop. It feels harder than the remainder of the scallop and will probably be a bit powerful and chewy when cooked. It’s simply fantastic in case you depart it on (and generally it’s already been eliminated), some individuals are bothered by it and plenty of others will not be.

Simply rinse the scallops underneath 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 utterly dry.

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

Pan Sear Scallops

Let the scallops cook dinner within the oil on the primary aspect 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 powerful. You’ll love the caramelized crust and lightweight buttery style!

Select Scallops

Search for the freshest caught scallops yow will discover! 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.

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 need to cook dinner them quick at a excessive warmth.

After I make scallops, I cook dinner them for nearly two minutes on both sides. The precise time will rely upon the warmth of your pan and the scale 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 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 desires that.

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

Scallops have change into a brand new favourite for a pleasant dinner at dwelling over the previous yr. My youngsters 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 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 some other protein.

Wait to cook 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 may be served instantly after cooking, whereas they’re at their finest.

Serve these scallops with a aspect 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.

On the lookout 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 images up to date 11/13/24}