Loris Sea Scallops With Roasted Red Pepper Pesto Food

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare the roasted red pepper sauce, place all of the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor, and process for a few minutes until completely smooth; pour the sauce into a squeeze bottle or spoon into a serving dish, and keep room temp or in the fridge. (Any unused portion will last for a couple of weeks in the fridge, and is delicious over chicken, beef, shrimp, or veggies.)
• To sear the scallops, place a large cast-iron or other heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat, and add in the avocado oil and the clarified (or regular) butter; once melted and the skillet it very hot and pretty much smoking, season the scallops with some sea salt, and working in batches if necessary, place the scallops larger flat-side down into the skillet.
• Do not disturb the scallops for about 2 1/2 minutes, allowing that first side to get a nice, deep brown char; then, flip the scallops over and allow them to sear, undisturbed, on that second side for about 1 1/2 minutes, or until a golden crust forms on that side and the scallops are medium-rare and slightly firm yet tender when gently pressed.
• Remove the scallops from the skillet and place onto a large platter to hold. Repeat with another batch, if necessary.
• To serve, add a couple of generous spoonfuls of the roasted red pepper sauce to the bottom of a plate, and top with 3 scallops; sprinkle over a small amount of the toasted pine nuts as well as some pretty micro greens, and serve while hot. (Alternately, you can spoon or drizzle some of the sauce over top of the scallops, then top with pine nuts and micro greens.)

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the scallops from the refrigerator, arrange on a plate in a single layer and blot them gently with a paper towel. Set aside.
• Prepare the seasoning blend by combining the paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of black pepper and onion powder in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on a flat plate and set aside.
• Drain the roasted red peppers thoroughly and add them to the work bowl of a food processor along with the olive oil and sherry vinegar. Pulse until smooth, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the sauce to a serving dish and set aside.
• Working with one scallop at a time, lightly press the flat sides of each into the spice mixture and transfer to a dry plate.
• Add the butter to a frying pan large enough to hold the scallops in a single layer with some room between them, and place on the stove over medium-high heat.
• As soon as the butter begins to sizzle, swirl it to coat the pan and using tongs, add the scallops to the pan one at a time.
• Cook for 1-1/2 minutes, then start turning them and cook for an additional 1-1/2 to 2 minutes on the second side. Do not overcook.
• To serve, plate four servings of rice, spoon some sauce around it on the plate, top with scallops and garnish with parsley if desired.

LORI'S SEA SCALLOPS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• For pesto:.
• Place Red pepper on foil in oven under broiler to roast. Turn over every 2-3 minutes until outer skin in blackened all around. Place in a small paper bag or wrap in foil to sweat for about 10 minutes. Skin will separate from pepper and peel off easily. Remove skin, seeds and stem from pepper and cut into medium pieces. This may be done ahead of time.
• Turn oven down to 350 degrees.
• Place pine nuts in a pie or cake pan and roast until light brown. Check every 2-3 minutes and shake pan to stir. Cool slightly, then put pine nuts in food processor, grind until coarse, add Garlic, Kosher salt, Lemon juice and red pepper. Blend well, then add the Olive oil, continue to blend. Add the Parmesan and mix until just blended. Set aside.
• For Scallops:.
• Rinse scallops and dry well- salt lightly with Kosher salt on both sides.
• Melt/heat butter and olive oil over medium high heat in medium pan.
• place scallops in pan and sear just until browned on both sides. Will not be cooked through yet.
• Remove from pan. Add wine to pan, stir to loosen brown bits and reduce sauce by approximately 1/2.
• Place scallops into a medium shallow baking dish. pour wine reduction over scallops, place a spoonful of pesto on top of each scallop. If have extra left keep adding over scallops. Sprinkle top with remainder of Parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes (depending on size of scallops) until pesto is bubbly and lightly browned.
• Remove from oven and serve.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Roast the peppers in a 400F oven until very dark; place in a paper bag for 15 minutes.
• Peel and remove seeds and ribs (don't do this under running water, you want all the flavor).
• Place in a blender or food processor and whirl until smooth.
• Place puree and next two ingredients in saucepan and cook for about five minutes.
• Stir the cream into mixture and cook to reduce (about five minutes).
• Season to taste and keep warm.
• Heat olive oil in a frying pan; add the scallops and cook on each side for about two minutes each.
• Transfer 2 scallops to each plate and garnish with pepper sauce.

GRILLED SCALLOPS WITH RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
• SAUCE:.
• Place roasted peppers, stock and wine in processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Pour into a 12-inch skillet. Add basil and cook over medium-high heat until mixture is reduced to about 1 1/2 cups.
• Reduce heat to medium and add chilled butter a little at a time. Stir until melted and completely incorporated into sauce. Remove from heat, cover and keep warm.
• SCALLOPS:.
• Drain water from skewers. Divide scallops evenly among the skewers and brush with melted butter. Place skewers on grill 2-4 inches above very hot coals. Cook, turning once, until scallops are opaque in the thickest part, about 3-5 minutes.
• Divide sauce among 6 warm dinner plates. Remove scallops from skewers and place on top of sauce. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH SWEET ROASTED RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler or prepare a charcoal grill.
• Place the peppers under the broiler or on the grill. Cook them on all sides until the skin is well charred. When cool enough to handle, split the peppers in half, core them and discard the charred skin and the seeds. Rinse in cold water. Pat dry with papers towels and cut them into 1/2-inch cubes.
• Remove and discard the ends of the snap peas.
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet and add the peas, cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the scallops, the red peppers, shallots, garlic, thyme, pepper flakes, liqueur, butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring and tossing over high heat for 4 minutes or until the scallops are cooked through. Do not overcook. Sprinkle with the coriander.