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 may develop into your new favourite approach 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 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 suitable approach. Pan searing is by far my favourite approach 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 prepare dinner, I used to be nervous about losing my funding by cooking them poorly at residence.

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 take pleasure in 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 positive to impress!

The right way to Clear Scallops

Nowhere close to as finicky as lobster or crab, scallops are simple sufficient for even a newbie prepare dinner. You possibly can 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 elimination concerned and just about no prep time. The one prep for the scallops is definitely elective. Test over the scallops as you’re dealing with them and take away the little side-muscle in the event you discover any nonetheless connected.

This muscle appears like a bit of tag of tissue on the aspect of the scallop. It feels more durable than the remainder of the scallop and will probably be a bit robust and chewy when cooked. It’s simply positive in the event you depart it on (and typically it’s already been eliminated), some persons are bothered by it and plenty of others will not be.

Simply rinse the scallops below 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 ensure they’re fully 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.

The right way to Pan Sear Scallops

Let the scallops prepare dinner within the oil on the primary aspect for a few minutes till evenly browned. They are going to prepare dinner shortly, 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!

The right way to Select Scallops

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

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

Whereas recent is most popular, you’ll be able to definitely make this recipe with frozen scallops. Simply allow them to thaw absolutely within the fridge and dry properly earlier than searing.

The right way to Cook dinner Scallops

The thought behind searing scallops is that they prepare dinner shortly leading to a evenly 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 almost two minutes on both sides. The precise time will rely 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 after they launch from the pan and are evenly browned or after they develop 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 develop into 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 prepare dinner scallops so long as I stored an eye fixed on the time.

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

Are you able to prepare 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 prepare dinner so you’ll be able to have recent seared scallops on the desk in much less time than it takes to make nearly another protein.

Wait to prepare dinner the scallops as the very last thing you do earlier than serving the meal. Put together the whole lot else first, in order that the scallops will 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.

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}