Scallops are essentially a type of shellfish that are a part of the mollusk family. In terms of taste, scallops are briny, buttery, and slightly sweet. They taste as if they belong to the sea, but do not taste “fishy” at all. Hence, many individuals who display aversiveness towards fish, tend to be fond of scallops. They are an excellent source of lean protein, and readily take up the taste of any seasoning they are introduced to.
If you haven’t experienced scallops, or have only had them a few times at fancy restaurants, it is time that you experience the deliciousness and succulence of this protein by cooking a few must-try recipes at home. If you cannot find scallops readily in your area, you can buy scallop meat online with Fish Me, and given below are two scallop recipes that you need to try. Both of these recipes can be served as appetizers or as a light lunch or dinner, and take under 15 minutes to prepare, cook, and serve:
A Crispy Scallop Salad
A crispy scallop salad makes for the best appetizer that is both rich due to the buttery texture of the scallops, and fresh due to the refreshing vegetables and salad dressing. To achieve an extra crisp on your scallops, it is recommended that you dunk them in some egg and cornmeal before shallow frying on a heavy skillet using vegetable oil. Once you achieve a crispy sear on both sides, remove the scallops from the skillet and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
In another bowl, mix chopped lettuce, finely chopped garlic, thinly sliced avocado, orange zest, and orange juice. Pour a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste. Use your hands to gently mix the salad and combine everything.
Once all done, place the salad into different bowls as per our serving and place three pan-fried and cornmeal-coated scallops on top of each serving.
Pan-seared Scallops With Corn Salad
Pan-seared scallops paired with a corn salad is possibly the easiest recipe you can come across, and that tartness from the corn salad beautifully complements the rich texture of the scallops. To start, pan-sear some scallops in avocado oil and sprinkle some salt and pepper on both sides of it while doing so.
For the salad, in a bowl mix corn, basil, finely chopped tomatoes, and fresh basil. In a smaller bowl prepare the dressing using vinegar, mustard, and honey. Once your dressing is whisked together, pour it on top of the prepared salad and combine all ingredients.
Divide and place the corn salad into separate bowls, followed by topping it with three to four seared scallops for each serving.
Conclusion Scallops are delicious and are often thought of as a high-end lean protein. Whether you are hosting friends and family for dinner, or simply hoping to enjoy a quiet meal with your close family, scallops make for the perfect start to your meal times and are effortless in terms of the required prep.