Seared Sea Scallops Over Pesto Sauce Recipes

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CREAMY PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Dry the scallops with paper towel to make sure there is no excess water. Sprinkle pinch of salt and pepper on each scallops on both sides.
• Heat the olive oil and melt the butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add the scallops and sear for about 2 minutes, until nice and gold. Using a tong, flip the scallops. If it's stuck to the bottom, don't force and cook a little longer. When it's ready, it should un-stick easily. Cook for 1-2 minutes on other side. Be careful not to overcook the scallops, which will toughen the scallops. Remove the scallops onto the warm plate. Set aside.
• Remove the skillet from heat and add pesto and heavy cream. Swirl the pan to mix the sauce.

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS WITH LINGUINE AL PESTO

Steps:

• To toast the pine nuts get a pan sauté pan very hot, then turn off the heat, and add the pine nuts to the pan. Keep the pine nuts moving around so they toast without burning.*If the pine nuts start to smoke take the pan off the heat.
• Remove the leaves from the basil and parsley, do not use the stems
• Place the basil and parsley into the food processor, Pulse it until the greens are very well minced
• Add the garlic, toasted pine nuts, and grated Romano Cheese, pulse to combine
• Drizzle in the Olive Oil until it has a nice smooth consistency without looking oily
• cook linguine per instructions on the box
• wash and clean your scallops (remove the little piece of side mussel)
• pat dry the scallops with paper towels
• sprinkle the old bay on both sides of the scallops
• get your pan very hot
• add enough olive oil to have a light coating in the pan
• add the scallops carefully, not over crowding the pan (too many scallops will bring down the temperature of the pan)
• most importantly once you place the scallops in the pan, do not move them!
• allow the scallop to sear on one side for two minutes, when you turn one scallop you should begin to see a nice caramel color as a light crust forms. If your scallop looks like this continue turning them, if not let them cook a little longer.
• after turning the scallop continue cooking, being careful not to over cook them.
• a scallop will be just a little translucent in the center when it is done (the scallop will continue to cook after you've removed it from the pan)
• look at the scallop from the side to determine if it is done.
• the scallop should be a little springy when you push it with your fingers, if it is firm, its overcooked**
• this is a matter of timing, while the scallops are searing, the pasta should just be getting done; you want to toss the linguine with a few large spoonfuls of the pesto (use as much or as little as you like), as soon as you drain it.
• place the linguine with the pesto back in the pot, and hold on the back of the stove(off burner) until your scallops are done.
• plate pasta and top with scallops, 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.

SEARED SUN-DRIED TOMATO-PESTO SEA SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Place the sundried tomatoes and pesto sauce in food prossesor, and blend together.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of sea scallops to taste. Put clarrified butter in pan over med-hi heat, and sear scallops in butter for 3 minutes on each side.
• Heat the sundried tomato pesto sauce over med heat until hot.
• Serve scollops on plate with 1 teaspoon of hot sundried pesto sauce on top of each scallop.