Seared Scallops With Pistachio Pesto Recipes

SEARED SEA SCALLOPS WITH PISTACHIO DRESSING

Steps:

• In a mortar, crush the anise seeds with 1/4 teaspoon salt and the garlic. Place pistachios and tarragon in a food processor and process until finely ground. Add anise mixture, oil, sherry and lemon juice. Process to a thick paste. Transfer to a small saucepan. Whisk in stock or water. Heat on low until tepid. Turn off heat.
• Heat a cast iron skillet or a griddle to very hot. Dry scallops. Brush a slick of oil on the pan, lower heat a bit and place scallops in the pan. Sear on medium-high until handsomely browned, 2 to 3 minutes. You'll know when the scallops have browned enough when they can be lifted with your spatula without ruinous sticking. Lightly dust scallops with salt, then turn them. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until scallops are browned on the bottom and just cooked through, another 6 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, gently warm the sauce. Whisk and add a smidgen of salt if needed.
• Spoon some of the sauce in the center of each of 4 warm dinner plates. Poise 3 to 4 of the scallops around the edges of the sauce pool and garnish with tarragon.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH PARSLEY AND SCALLION PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, adding salt until it tastes like seawater. Meanwhile, set a colander in a large bowl of ice water. Add the parsley to the boiling water and cook 1 minute, then remove with a slotted spoon. Immediately plunge the parsley into the ice bath and allow to cool, 3 to 5 minutes. Keep the water at a rolling boil.
• Drain the parsley slightly and put it in a blender (reserve the ice water). Add the sugar and olive oil and blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a little water. Taste for seasoning. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the scallions; set aside.
• Prepare the asparagus: Add the asparagus to the pot and cook until crisp-tender and bright green, about 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to the ice water to cool. Drain and pat dry. (The pesto and asparagus can be made up to 4 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
• Cook the scallops: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke slightly, season the scallops with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Add the mushrooms and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the shallots and garlic and cook until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vermouth and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and virtually all of the liquid has evaporated. Add the asparagus and toss until warmed through.
• Arrange the scallops and vegetables on plates. Squeeze some lemon juice directly over the scallops. Top with the pesto.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH PISTACHIO PESTO

Steps:

• With a mortar and pestle crush garlic with fennel and salt. In a food processor process pistachios and tarragon until finely ground. Add garlic mixture, oil, sherry and lemon, and process to a paste. Add fish stock, process for a few seconds and transfer to a small saucepan and heat just until warm... do not allow to simmer as the tarragon will discolor. Heat a cast iron skillet till very hot, add a smear of olive oil and sear scallops until they are brown (2-3 minutes). Turn scallops and brown on the other side. Divide the pesto among 4 plates and place the scallops on top.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted, shelled raw natural pistachios and cook, stirring often, until nuts are deeply toasted, about 2 minutes. Let cool. Chop pistachios. Place in a small bowl; toss with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme. Season 8 large sea scallops (side muscle removed) with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add scallops; sear until crusty brown, about 2 minutes per side. Roll scallops in pistachio mixture.

PASTA WITH PESTO AND SCALLOPS

Steps:

• In a large pot with boiling salted water cook fettuccini pasta until al dente. Drain. Stir in pesto sauce and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in 3 tablespoons olive oil until soft. Add green bell pepper, mushrooms and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in dry white wine, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a boil. Add scallops and toss for 2 minutes. Take care not to overcook the scallops, as they will toughen when exposed to prolonged heat.
• Toss the pesto covered pasta with the scallop sauce. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

SCALLOPS WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Season scallops with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and add scallops. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Add pesto and capers; mix well. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and serve.

SCALLOPS AND PASTA WITH PISTACHIO-PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• Place first 9 ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping down sides of processor bowl occasionally.
• Combine scallops, flour, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in large zip-lock plastic bag; seal, and shake to coat.
• Heat butter or margarine in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add scallops; cook 3-1/2 minutes on each side or until scallops are done.
• Combine pesto mixture and pasta in a large bowl, tossing well.
• Arrange 1 cup pasta on each plate, and divide the scallops evenly between plates.
• Sprinkle with pepper; garnish with parsley, if desired.