Seared Scallops With Orange And Vermouth Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ORANGE AND VERMOUTH

Steps:

• In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat until very hot. Season the scallops with the salt and pepper. Add half the scallops to the pan and cook until browned, about 1 minute. Turn and cook until browned on the second side and just done, about 2 minutes longer. Remove from the pan. Add the remaining tablespoon oil to the pan and repeat with the remaining scallops. Wipe out the pan.
• In the same pan, melt the butter over moderate heat. Add the scallions and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the vermouth and orange zest. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the scallops and warm until just heated through, about 1 minute.
• Fish Alternatives: Instead of large sea scallops, you can use bay scallops. Sauté them for just a minute and a half. They cook so quickly there's not time for a brown crust to form, but the taste will still be delicious.
• Variations: Seared Scallops with Lemon and Vermouth Use 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest in place of the orange zest. Seared Scallops with Orange and White Wine Use 1/2 cup of dry white wine in place of the vermouth.
• Wine Recommendation: A light, acidic white wine is a good partner for the citrus here. Outstanding choices would be a better quality Soave or a sauvignon blanc from the northern Alto Adige region of Italy.

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH GINGER-ORANGE SPINACH (COOKING LIGHT)

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl.
• Place scallops in a shallow dish. Add vodka, vermouth, and half of ginger mixture; toss gently. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.
• Melt margarine in a large skillet over high heat. Add remaining ginger mixture, and sauté 30 seconds. Add orange rind and juice, and bring to a boil. Stir in spinach, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes or until spinach wilts. Remove from skillet, and keep warm.
• Remove scallops from marinade, reserving marinade. Place skillet coated with cooking spray over high heat until hot. Add scallops; cook 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from skillet; keep warm. Add reserved marinade to skillet. Bring to a boil; cook until sauce is reduced to 1/4 cup (about 5 minutes).
• Arrange scallops over spinach mixture; drizzle with sauce.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH VERMOUTH

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 turns of the pan of olive oil, about 2 tablespoons and the chopped shallots to the pan. Cook shallots in oil a minute or so, add artichoke hearts and toss to heat through. Season artichokes with salt and pepper and combine with parsley and capers. Transfer artichokes to a serving dish.
• Wipe out pan and return to the heat, raising heat a bit. Season drained and trimmed scallops with salt and pepper. Add 1 turn of olive oil to the very hot pan and immediately place the scallops in the pan. Sear the scallops in a single layer, causing them to caramelize, 2 minutes on each side. Add vermouth to the pan and cook out the alcohol, 1 to 2 minutes. Arrange the scallops in vermouth over top of the artichokes and serve.