Seared Scallops Nicoise Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
• In the meantime, pat the scallops very dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the sea scallops with salt and pepper, to season.
• When the pan is hot, add the oil, then drop in your scallops, giving them enough room in between so they don't steam each other. The scallops should make a sizzling noise when you put them in the pan.
• Cook the scallops for 2 minutes, making sure not to move them or touch them at all.
• Flip the scallops over with a pair of tongs, and add the butter to the pan. Let the scallops cook for 1 more minute, basting the scallops with the butter.
• Remove the scallops from the pan and serve!

SCALLOPS NICOISE WITH TOMATO-OLIVE SAUCE

Steps:

• If bay scallops are not available, use sea scallops but cut them in half or quarter them, depending on size.
• Core and peel the tomatoes, and cut them into 1/2-inch cubes. There should be about 3 1/2 cups. Set aside.
• Chop the green olives. There should be about 3 tablespoons. Set aside.
• Chop the black olives. There should be about 1 1/2 tablespoons. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a heavy skillet and add the garlic. Cook briefly, stirring. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add the chopped green and black olives, capers, salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat about 2 minutes.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in each of 2 skillets. When the butter is hot and almost brown, add half the scallops to each skillet. Add salt and pepper. Cook, shaking the skillets and stirring so that the scallops cook quickly and evenly.
• Cook about 2 minutes or slightly longer. Take care not to overcook. Sprinkle with parsley and lemon juice. Toss.
• Spoon the hot tomato-olive sauce into a hot, fairly deep platter. Pour the scallops over and serve.

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.

SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Remove the small side muscle from the scallops, rinse with cold water and thoroughly pat dry.
• Add the butter and oil to a 12 to 14-inch saute pan on high heat. Salt and pepper the scallops. Once the fat begins to smoke, gently add the scallops, making sure they are not touching each other. Sear the scallops for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. The scallops should have a 1/4-inch golden crust on each side while still being translucent in the center. Serve immediately.

SIMPLY SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Pat sea scallops dry with paper towels. Season with some lemon juice, salt, and pepper on one side.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over high heat. Place scallops in the skillet seasoned-side down. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Season with remaining lemon juice, salt, and pepper; flip. Continue cooking until opaque, about 2 minutes more. Garnish with lemon zest.

SEARED SEA SCALLOPS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, oregano, thyme and lemon pepper. Roll scallops in flour mixture until lightly coated on all sides.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over high heat. Add 4 scallops to the pan and sear on all sides (about 2 minutes for each side). After turning scallops, add 1 tablespoon parsley and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Remove scallops from pan and place on a plate in the oven to keep warm until ready to serve.
• Repeat until remaining scallops are cooked, tossing each batch with parsley and lemon juice.