Simplest Bay Scallops Recipes

HOW TO COOK BAY SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Cook the rest of your meal first. Scallops cook quickly, and they're best when they're fresh out of the pan. If you're planning to serve up anything else with your scallops (such as pasta or a salad), prepare that first and have it ready to serve the moment the scallops are done. For example, if you'd like to serve these scallops over toast, toast and butter the bread before you begin cooking the scallops.
• Remove the side-muscles if necessary. If your scallops still have their fibrous muscle tags attached, pull those off with your thumb and forefinger before you start cooking them. These muscles are easy to recognize because they feel tough and firm to the touch and their fibers go against the grain of the rest of the scallop. Leaving the muscles attached won't do any harm, but they're much tougher and harder to chew than the rest of the scallop.
• Rinse the scallops thoroughly with cool water. Before you cook the scallops, it's a good idea to rinse them to remove any grit, sand, or other unwanted debris. Put them in a colander before running water over them so they can drain quickly. Draining them quickly is key, since scallops will get waterlogged and mushy if they sit in water for too long.
• Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel. After the scallops have drained for a few minutes, spread them out on a flat surface covered in paper towels. Use another clean paper towel to gently pat each scallop dry. If you don't pat the scallops dry before searing them, you'll end up with tougher steamed scallops instead of tender, pan-seared ones.

SIMPLEST BAY SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the scallops; do not crowd. Cook without stirring until they brown lightly on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn, and brown the other side.
• Remove from the heat, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Serve with lemon wedges.

SAUTEED BAY SCALLOPS WITH LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Choose a saute pan large enough to hold all of the scallops in one layer without overcrowding the pan or without them touching each other. Cook in batches if necessary. Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter until nearly smoking. Add the scallops and do not move or shake pan, but allow the scallops to brown well on one side before tossing the pan to flip them or gently turning them with a spatula to cook the second side.
• Remove the scallops from the pan and place on a warm serving platter. Return the pan in which the scallops had been cooked to the fire, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sweet butter, and cook until the butter begins to turn a light brown color. When the butter has browned to a hazelnut color add the lemon juice and chopped parsley.
• Pour the classic lemon butter over the scallops, garnish with heart-shaped croutons and serve promptly.

SIMPLE SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Combine garlic, butter, sherry, mushrooms, scallions and parsley in a saucepan.
• Saute 2 minutes over medium heat.
• Add scallops, stir and simmer 2 minutes.
• Add flour, stir to incorporate.
• Slowly add the half and half stirring until thickened and scallops are tender.
• Serve in a bowl or over rice.

GRILLED BAY SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Rinse scallops and pat dry with paper towels.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and salt.
• Place scallops in a large bowl and toss with butter mixture. Let stand for about 2 minutes.
• Remove scallops from butter mixture, reserving excess in the bowl. Cook scallops on the preheated grill using a wire grill basket until golden, tossing occasionally for even cooking, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, return butter mixture to the frying pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and keep warm while scallops cook. Toss grilled scallops in warm butter mixture and serve.

BAY SCALLOPS WITH SPINACH AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and lemon zest and cook, stirring constantly, for 20 seconds. Add the spinach and toss from time to time until wilted. Drain off the liquid and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the scallops and sauté until just cooked through, about 1 minute. Remove the scallops from the pan and add the lemon juice and wine. Cook, scraping the bottom of the pan, for 15 seconds.
• Remove from heat, toss in the scallops and season with the remaining salt and pepper to taste. Place a mound of spinach in the center of 4 plates and surround with scallops. Serve immediately.

SIMPLE SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Mix Old Bay seasoning into flour.
• Roll scallops in flour.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add scallops; sauté 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until browned.
• Serve with rice pilaff or roasted potatoes and asparagus.