Pan Seared Scallop Polenta Rounds With A Sun Dried Tomato Artichoke Pesto Recipes

QUICK PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot; cook and stir until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in lemon juice and cook until evaporated, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits, about 3 minutes.
• Place scallops 1/2 inch apart in the skillet. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 1 minute. Flip and continue cooking until the second side is deeply browned, about 1 minute more.
• Transfer scallops to a serving plate; season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley.

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS WITH FRESH TOMATO CAPER SALSA

Steps:

• Rub scallops with cumin, salt and pepper. Can sit in refrigerator from 5 minutes or longer up to 2 hours.
• Quarter grape tomatoes, add capers, lemon juice, red onions, jalapeño peppers, brown sugar, cumin, salt, and pepper; toss lightly together in a small bowl.
• Spray a skillet with non cooking spray, over medium heat, melt together butter, oil, and brown sugar.
• Add scallops 4 at a time, searing and browning on one side, turning over at the end of 3 minutes, and brown on second side. Continue with last 4 scallops.
• Place two cooked scallops on each plate, and top with fresh tomato caper salsa.

SCALLOPS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sun-dried tomatoes and hot water. Let stand for 5 minutes; drain and set aside. , Place broccoli and broth in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender; set aside. , In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook garlic in oil over medium heat for 1 minute. Add scallops; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the lime juice, basil, salt, and reserved tomatoes and broccoli mixture; cook 2-3 minutes longer or until scallops are firm and opaque. , Drain the pasta; stir into scallop mixture and heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.

BASIL PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS OVER PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, rinse, and transfer to a large serving bowl.
• Meanwhile, place scallops in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper. Pour mixture over scallops. Arrange scallops in a single layer in a large baking dish or plate. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon dried basil over scallops so that only one side is sparsely coated with basil.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high, and melt one tablespoon of butter in the pan. Place 12 scallops basil-side down, and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until dark golden brown. Turn scallops, and cook the other side. Cook the remaining 12 scallops the same way.
• In a small saucepan, melt remaining butter with 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon basil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Toss pasta with butter and olive oil mixture. Divide pasta onto plates, and top with scallops.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• If the sun-dried tomatoes are moist, dry in a 200 degree oven for about 15 minutes, until dry.
• Grind the sun-dried tomatoes in a blender until they became a smooth powder; remove from the blender and set aside.
• Add the basil (reserve 2 sprigs for garnish), orange juice, and lemon juice to the blender. Blend on medium speed while drizzling 1/4 cup of the olive oil into the mixture.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat; add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the garlic. Saute the garlic for 15 seconds (do not burn), then add the zucchini. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes or until the zucchini softens. Season with salt and pepper. Add the tomato, then take off the heat.
• Heat another nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and all but 1 teaspoon of the reserved sun-dried tomato powder. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and add the scallops slowly to prevent spattering.
• Cook for about 3 minutes, then flip to the other side. Let cook for another 2 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• To serve, mound the zucchini mixture in the middle of two dinner plates. Place 5 scallops around each mound. Drizzle the vinaigrette around the dish. Garnish with basil sprig and a sprinkling of tomato powder.

PAN-SEARED POLENTA WITH SPICY TOMATO-BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish on rimmed baking sheet. Combine 8 cups water, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 teaspoons salt in dish. Gradually mix in polenta.
• Place baking sheet with polenta in oven. Bake polenta 1 hour. Add pepper and stir to blend. Bake 20 minutes. Stir again and spread evenly. Bake until polenta is very thick, about 20 minutes longer. Cool polenta to room temperature, 1 to 2 hours (polenta will become firm). Using metal spatula, press polenta all over to even thickness. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with plastic wrap; chill.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Cut polenta lengthwise into 4 strips. Cut each strip crosswise into 6 squares. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add polenta squares. Sauté until crisp and beginning to color, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer polenta to small baking sheet; place in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining polenta, adding oil to skillet as needed.
• Divide polenta among plates. Top with warm Spicy Tomato-Basil Sauce. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs, if desired.
• Sold at some supermarkets and at natural foods stores and Italian markets. If unavailable, substitute an equal amount of regular yellow cornmeal.
• What to drink:
• A medium-bodied red Italian wine is great with the spicy sauce. One to try: Montresor NV "Il Veronese" Valpolicella ($14), a lovely red blend with dried fruit flavors and vanilla notes.

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS, CORN, AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Remove tough muscle from side of each scallop if necessary and halve any large scallops. Pat scallops dry with paper towels and in a bowl toss with salt and thyme. In a large non-stick skillet cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp and with a slotted spoon transfer to paper towels to drain. Increase heat to moderately high and in drippings remaining in skillet sear scallops, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. With slotted spoon transfer scallops to a clean bowl.
• In same skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté scallions, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown, about 1 minute. Add corn and tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Return scallops to skillet and heat through, seasoning mixture with salt and pepper.
• Serve scallops sprinkled with bacon.