Asparagus Sea Scallop Risotto Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS AND ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• 1. Cut asparagus spears lengthwise in half. Then, cut into 2-inch lengths. Cook asparagus, covered, in lightly salted boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain. Quickly chill in ice water; drain again and set aside.
• 2. Bring broth to boiling in a 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, while preparing risotto.
• 3. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add onions. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until onions are softened, stirring occasionally. Add rice to onions in saucepan; cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until rice is golden brown.
• 4. Remove saucepan from heat; add wine. Return saucepan to heat and cook until wine evaporates. Carefully stir 1/2 cup hot broth into rice mixture. Cook over medium heat until liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, and stirring frequently until the broth is absorbed each time. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup cheese and asparagus; heat through.
• 5. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops and sear about 4 minutes or until opaque, turning once halfway through.
• 6. Divide risotto among four serving plates. Top with scallops. Garnish with lemon zest and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Squeeze lemon wedges over scallops before serving. Season scallops to taste with salt and black pepper.

SCALLOP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the stock in a medium saucepan over medium heat; lower the heat so the stock stays warm without simmering.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 1 minute. Add the rice, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is coated and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and cook, stirring constantly, until completely absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Ladle about 1/4 cup hot stock into the risotto and cook, stirring, until absorbed. Continue to add the stock in additions of about 1/4 cup, gradually working up to 1/2-cup additions, stirring until absorbed before adding more. Continue adding broth and stirring until the rice is tender and creamy, about 18 minutes. (You may have leftover stock, or may need to add a little water if you run out; this will depend on your rice.)
• While the rice cooks, trim the woody end of the asparagus off and cut the stalks into 3/4-inch pieces.
• Once the rice is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the asparagus, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the Parmesan, lemon juice and lemon zest, stirring until the risotto is creamy. Add a splash of water to loosen, if necessary. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
• Heat a medium nonstick skillet over high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and add them to the skillet. Cook, undisturbed, until browned and crisp on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the scallops and continue to cook until just cooked through, about 1 more minute. Transfer to a plate.
• Divide the risotto between bowls and top with the scallops; sprinkle with chives and more Parmesan.

SCALLOPS WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim asparagus, then cut stems into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices, leaving tips whole.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté asparagus, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate, reserving skillet off heat (do not clean).
• Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté half of scallops, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer scallops with tongs to another plate as cooked.
• Wipe out skillet with paper towels, then add remaining tablespoon oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Sauté remaining scallops, turning over once, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total, transferring to plate. (Do not wipe out skillet after second batch.)
• Carefully add wine and vinegar to skillet (mixture may spatter) and boil, scraping up brown bits, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons, about 1 minute. Add any scallop juices accumulated on plate and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated.
• Add asparagus and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Serve scallops topped with asparagus and sauce.

RISOTTO WITH SCALLOPS & ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring water and broth to a boil in saucepan. Reduce heat and keep simmering.
• Heat oil in nonstick saucepan and add onion. Reduce heat and saute 1 minute.
• Add rice. Cook, stirring to coat, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of broth mixture; cook, stirring, until liquid is absorbed.
• Add 1/2 cup of broth and asparagus. Cook, stirring, until the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until it is absorbed before adding more, until the rice is just tender. Total cooking time for the rice should be about 25-30 minutes.
• Stir in scallops, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Cook until the scallops are opaque, the rice tender, and the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the cheese and serve.

SCALLOP AND ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Blanch asparagus tips in boiling water for 2-3 minutes; set aside.
• Remove beards from scallops and sauté scallops in1 tablespoons of the butter until caramelized (2-3 minutes). Set aside.
• Heat chicken stock in a saucepan until warm.
• Combine olive oil and 1 tablespoons of the butter in a large heavy bottomed pot. Sauté the shallots until soft. Add the rice, and cook stirring, for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the liquid seasoning. Continue stirring until liquid reduces by half. Gradually add the chicken stock, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly, allow the stock to be absorbed before adding more. This process should be about 20 minutes.
• Stir in the asparagus and scallops. Finish with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the cheese.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Snap off the tough stem ends from the asparagus spears.
• Cut the tips, each about 2 inches long, off 4 spears.
• Set the tips aside.
• Chop the remaining asparagus into 1-inch pieces.
• Bring a large pot two-thirds full of generously salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Add the chopped asparagus and cook until bright green and just tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon or long-handled strainer, transfer the asparagus to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
• When the asparagus is cool, drain and set aside.
• In a heavy soup pot over medium heat, melt 3 Tbs of the butter.
• When the butter is just hot, add the shallots and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the chopped asparagus and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the cream and stock.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 minutes more.
• Transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Pass the soup through a chinois into a clean saucepan and keep warm over very low heat.
• Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
• In a small sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 1 Tbs butter.
• When it is nearly smoking, add the scallops and cook until evenly browned and slightly translucent in the center, about 2 minutes per side.
• Divide the scallops among 2 warmed soup bowls.
• Add the reserved asparagus tips to the sauté pan and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes.
• Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
• Ladle the soup into the bowls, garnish with the asparagus tips and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Snap the woody ends off the asparagus stalks and tip them into a saucepan with the stock. Put on a low heat to very gently simmer. Meanwhile, cut off the tips of the asparagus, add to the stock for exactly 1 min. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside. Finely slice the rest of the stalks into rounds.
• Heat the oil and half the butter in a heavy, wide pan. Cook the onions gently for 5 mins until soft, stirring often. Add the chopped asparagus stalks and cook for 2 mins more. Add the rice and continously stir for a few minutes until it turns semi-transparent and makes a hissing sound.
• Stir in the wine, if using - it will evaporate almost immediately. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring between each addition until it is absorbed, about 15 mins.
• Try the rice - it should feel just cooked with a slight bite to it. Stir in the asparagus tips and any last dregs of stock and cook for 1 or 2 mins more. Remove from the heat and top with the remaining butter and most of the parmesan. Season generously, cover and leave for a few minutes to settle.
• Give the risotto a thorough stir to incorporate the butter and cheese and serve straight away with the remaining parmesan for sprinkling over.

SHRIMP AND SCALLOP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat butter and oil in 6 quart pot on medium heat.
• Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add shrimp, scallops, and parsley, and sauté, stirring often, for 3 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to plate with slotted spoon.
• In the drippings, sauté the onion until limp- about 5 minutes.
• Stir in rice, broth, water, salt, and 1/8 tsp of the pepper.
• Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 10 minutes.
• Add celery, carrots and tomato, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Lay asparagus on top, cover and simmer 5 minutes longer or until asparagus and rice are tender.
• Stir in seafood mixture and heat to serving temperature.
• Stir in cheese and remaining pepper.

SCALLOP RISOTTO WITH CHAMPAGNE

Steps:

• Mince green onions, separating white parts and tops, set aside.
• Place broth in a small saucepan, bring a simmer, do not boil.
• Keep warm over low heat.
• Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray, and place over medium heat until hot.
• Add butter and white parts of onions, cook until tender.
• Add rice, and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add champagne, bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered 5 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed.
• Add 1/2 cup warm broth, cook 5 minutes,stirring occasionally, until liquid is nearly absorbed.
• Add remaining broth, and cook 5 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in onion tops, water, and scallops, cook an additional 5 minutes or until mixture is creamy.
• Rice will be slightly firm.
• Serve immediately.

SAUTéED SCALLOPS WITH ASPARAGUS PURéE

Steps:

• Asparagus: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Salt the water generously (make it as salty as seawater). Trim the woody ends from asparagus and discard; then submerge asparagus in the boiling water. Cover with lid just until the water comes back to a boil, then uncover and cook until al dente (tender but with just a little crunch), 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice water.
• Asparagus are done when they bend without snapping. Use a spider strainer to transfer them to the ice bath; submerge and stir to immediately stop the cooking. Reserve cooking water (to thin purée). Cut asparagus tips and reserve for garnish. Cut stalks into 2-inch pieces and set aside.
• Place asparagus stalks in the blender and cover with lid; pulse a few times. Remove the smaller cap in the lid and turn blender to medium speed. Ladle in a slow stream of cooking water (about ½ cup) to help the asparagus purée. Use caution, as the water and purée are hot! Replace the cap, then purée on high speed. When the purée is smooth, strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl to remove any fibrous strands. Salt the purée to taste and set aside.
• Scallops: Place scallops on paper towels in an even layer and pat dry; this is an important step to get a nice sear. Pull off and discard any tough side-muscles (their fibers run against the grain of the rest of the scallop). Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then add oil. (Add more as needed to coat the bottom of the skillet.) When the oil begins to ripple, add scallops in an even layer without crowding. Let cook undisturbed, 60-90 seconds. Scallops are ready to flip when they are evenly caramelized and no longer stick to the skillet. Before flipping, sprinkle with sea salt. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the asparagus purée.
• When scallops are golden brown on the first side, they should release easily from the skillet. Using a small offset spatula, flip each scallop to sear the second side; continue sautéing, 30-45 more seconds, depending on size. Remove scallops to a paper towel-lined plate and let rest while finishing the sauce.
• Add half of the asparagus tips to the warmed purée. Add butter, then swirl the saucepan continuously until all the butter has melted and emulsified into the purée to make a rich sauce.
• Immediately before serving, add the lemon juice to the asparagus sauce and stir to combine; taste and adjust seasoning. Divide the sauce among plates or large bowls, then place the scallops on the sauce. Garnish with remaining asparagus tips and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS SEA SCALLOP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Prepare the asparagus: Wash the asparagus and snap each stalk in half. Cut the bottom halves into pieces and boil them for 10 minutes in 12 ounces of water. Discard these woody bits and save the water. Cut the top halves into three portions. Boil these more tender pieces in the same water for 5 minutes. Set the asparagus pieces to one side and save the water that now has been infused with the asparagus flavor.
• Cook the scallops: Drain the scallops and dry well between layers of paper towel. Put a heavy bottomed 10" or 12" sauté pan over medium-high heat and add a Tablespoon of oil and a teaspoon of butter. Salt and pepper one side of the scallops and, when the pan is nice and hot, cook the scallops for 2 minutes on the seasoned side. Remove to a plate, salt and pepper the other side of the scallops, and put any liquid from the pan in with the asparagus water. Add another Tablespoon of oil and a little butter and cook the other side of the scallops for 2 minutes.
• Break the barely cooked scallops into pieces. Remove to a plate and keep the scallops warm in a 200º oven.
• Put any juices from the pan in with the asparagus nectar. Deglaze the pan with a few Tablespoons of water or white wine, as desired, and add the liquid to the asparagus water.
• Bring the asparagus water back to temperature, add the 2 cups of broth and the other 8 ounces of water and let simmer. Depending on the saltiness of the broth, you may want to add a little more salt, according to taste. By now, you will have a very nice broth with which to season the rice. Keep it hot but not boiling as you cook the rice.
• Sautee the chopped onion in 2 Tablespoons of oil and a Tablespoon of butter over medium heat until translucent. Add the dry rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the white wine and simmer for 1 more minute. Raise the heat on the burner to medium high and set the timer for 16 minutes.
• Add 1 cup of the hot broth and allow it to cook in for 3 or 4 minutes. Then add another cup of broth, stirring to lift the rice off of the bottom.
• Add more hot broth as necessary to keep the rice wet and just a little soupy, keeping the heat fairly high throughout.
• Three minutes before the time is up, add the scallop pieces and any juice from the plate. One minute before time is up add the asparagus and carefully incorporate so the tips don't break apart.
• Add a small amount of broth if the rice is super-absorbent. There should always be a little extra liquid in the pan.
• When the time is up, remove from the heat and mix in the cheese. Top the risotto with a spoonful of parmesan and serve piping hot with crusty bread. Such good flavors - enjoy!