Seared Scallops With Almond Vinaigrette Food

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ALMOND VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• 1. Finely chop the almonds into small pieces but not into a powder. Mix the almonds and 4 tablespoons oil in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon vinegar and chives; season with salt, pepper, and more vinegar if desired.
• 2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet. Cook until deep golden and caramelized, 2-3 minutes. Turn scallops; add butter and thyme. Cook, frequently tilting skillet and spooning butter over the scallops, until the scallops are deep golden and just cooked through, 2-3 minutes longer. (Basting will add extra flavor.)
• 3. Stir the preserves and 1/2 teaspoon water in a small bowl to loosen. Smear 1 tablespoon preserve mixture in the center of 2 plates. Top with 6 scallops on each plate. Drizzle some vinaigrette over. Garnish with herbs or arugula.

SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Place a layer of paper towels on top of a large plate or baking sheet and gently lay the sea scallops on top to rid them of any excess moisture. With the scallops still on the paper towel, grab a large pinch of kosher salt and sprinkle it from a foot or more over the scallops. The height will help distribute the salt evenly.
• Use a pepper grinder to crack fresh black pepper in the same manner, getting every scallop.
• Flip the scallops and season the other side. This is important!
• Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed stainless-steel saute pan over high heat. Do not use nonstick-you'll never achieve the proper caramelization!
• Wait.
• Wait.
• Watch as the pan begins to smoke.
• Now, carefully, because the pan and oil are very hot, use tongs or your fingers to place each scallop individually in the pan, leaving room between them. Once the scallops are in the pan, do not move them or the pan or turn the heat down. You're going to want to, because the pan will be hot and splattering and smoking, but resist! You're getting your hard sear. Don't interfere or the scallops will stick.
• After 2 minutes, use a spatula or tongs to gently turn one of the scallops and assess how dark the sear is. If it's dark brown and caramelized, it's ready to be flipped and seared on the other side for at least 2 minutes more to achieve an identical sear.
• When the scallops have been flipped and seared on both sides, they're fully cooked and ready to eat. Remove them from the pan using tongs or a spatula. Add the butter to the pan and a squeeze of lemon juice and scrape up the bit on the pan to create a sauce. Serve the scallops hot and topped with the pan sauce and another squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top.

CARAMELIZED SCALLOPS WITH FRESH GREEN PEA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette: Blanch the peas in salted water until tender, and then shock in an ice bath. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey and some salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the peas, mint and parsley and toss to combine. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• For the scallops: Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high for direct grilling. Brush the scallops on both sides with canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle some sugar over one side and let sit for 2 minutes to slightly dissolve. Place the scallops, sugar-side down, on the grill and cook until golden brown and caramelized, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Flip and continue grilling until just cooked through, about 2 minutes.
• Serve 3 scallops per plate and spoon the peas and vinaigrette over and around the scallops. Top each with some of the chopped mint and parsley.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ALMOND VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Finely chop almonds into small pieces. Mix almonds & 4 Tbsp. oil in medium bowl. Whisk in 1 Tbsp. vinegar and chives; season vinaigrette with S&P and more vinegar if desired. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Season scallops with S&P. Add to skillet. Cook until deep golden and carmelized., 2-3 minutes. Turn scallop; add butterand thyme. Cook, frequently tilting skillet and spooning butter over, until scallops are deep golden and just cooked through. 2-3 minutes longer. Stir preserves and 1/2 tsp water in a small bowl to loosen. Smear about 1/2 Tbsp. preserve mixture in center of plate. Top with 2-4 scallops each. Drizzle some vinaigrette over Garnish with herbs

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH JALAPENO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place jalapeno, rice vinegar, olive oil, and Dijon mustard in a blender. Puree on high until mixture is completely liquefied, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Season scallops with sea salt and cayenne pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over high heat. Place scallops in skillet and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Garnish scallops with orange segments and drizzle jalapeno vinaigrette over the top.