Scallop And Pine Nut Sauce With Spaghettini And Basil Recipes

BASIL-SCALLOP LINGUINE WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Start boiling a large pot of boiling water for pasta.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil (1-2 minutes). Add garlic and shallots and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until they are tender but not browned, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add basil, parsley, salt and red pepper flakes, black pepper, tomatoes (with juice), wine, and tomato paste to saucepan. Return to heat and bring to a boil, stirring to brreak up large pieces of tomatoes.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. (The sauce may be made a day ahead and refrigerated, the flavors will continue to meld together and make you look like a gourmet cook. Just reheat when ready to serve.).
• Cook linguine with 2 teaspoons of salt and vegetable oil in a large pot of boiling water, according to package directions (for medium linguine, usually 9-10 minutes after water returns to full boil).
• While pasta cooks, place scallops in a colander and rinse in cold water. Drain thoroughly and cut each in half crosswise.
• Add scallops and artichokes to sauce and cook 5 minutes or until scallops are tender and artichokes are hot. Set aside until serving.
• Place pine nuts in a small skillet over moderately high heat and toast in the pan -- DO NOT ADD OIL. Set aside until serving.
• Drain pasta and place on a large serving platter or plates. (I recommend using individual pasta bowls, it will feel more "Italian.").
• Spoon scallop-artichoke-tomato mixture on top of pasta and toss gently (although I generally never toss, I prefer a prretty presentation and I like to keep the tastes of sauce and pasta distinct).
• Sprinkle with pine nuts and more parsley. Serve immediately.
• To look like a gourmet, serve with a very light Italian white wine, like Gavi or Pino Grigio.

LINGUINI WITH SCALLOPS, SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350. Toast the pine nuts in the oven until golden brown, about 8 minutes.
• In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the linguini until just done, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick frying pan over moderately high heat until very hot.
• Put the scallops in the pan and sear until brown on the bottom, 1-2 minutes.
• Turn and sear until brown on the other side, 1-2 minutes longer. Remove the scallops and cut them into quarters.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining 5 tablespoons of oil over moderate heat.
• Add the tomatoes, garlic, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring for 1 minute.
• Toss with the pasta, scallops, pine nuts and the remaining parsley. Add salt to taste.