Pan Seared Scallops With Cabernet Risotto And Lemon Broth Recipes

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Remove the tiny, tough side muscle where sand can hide and rinse the scallops if necessary (some scallops are sold with the muscle already removed). Dry the scallops very well with a paper towel, as moisture can impede browning.
• Heat a large cast iron pan or thick-bottom nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat until very hot. (Heat two pans if necessary to keep scallops from crowding.) Add the olive oil and ½ tablespoon of the butter, and swirl to coat the pan. Place the scallops in the pan and season with ⅛ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Sear on the first side, without touching or flipping, for about 3 minutes, or until golden. Using tongs, turn the scallops over, season with the remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper, and sear for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the scallops are just cooked through.
• Move the scallops to a plate. Remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining 3½ tablespoons butter to the skillet. As the butter is melting, add the lemon juice and swirl the pan a few times, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon.
• Add the scallops back in the skillet, baste with the sauce to warm, and then divide onto 4 plates, using all the sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.
• Note: When purchasing scallops, look for the "dry" or "dry-packed" variety. Some scallops on the market are dipped in a solution to extend shelf life. The scallops end up absorbing the water in the solution, increasing the price and causing the scallops to leak moisture when cooked (which will keep them from developing a beautifully caramelized exterior). Quality seafood markets typically carry dry scallops but don't usually label them; if you're uncertain of what to buy, ask your fishmonger.
• Variation: For even more flavor, you can brown the butter to make a brown butter lemon sauce. Before cooking the scallops, start the sauce by adding 3½ tablespoons of the butter to a small, thick-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then simmer on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. You will notice foaming and then milk particles will begin to drop to the bottom. When the butter turns golden and starts to smell nutty, it's done. Set aside for a minute or two. Strain through the finest strainer you have to remove the brown bits. (It's called "brown butter," but a key to browning butter is to remove when it is golden, before it paradoxically turns brown and burns.) Set the strained butter aside and proceed with the recipe, adding the browned butter to the pan after cooking the scallops.

LEMON-HERB RISOTTO WITH SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan; keep warm over low heat.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the leek, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the rice, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is coated, about 1 minute. Add the wine and cook, stirring constantly, until completely absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Ladle about 1/2 cup hot chicken broth into the risotto and cook, stirring, until absorbed. Continue to add the broth in about 1/2-cup increments, stirring until absorbed before adding more, until the rice is tender and creamy, about 18 minutes. (If you¿ve used up all the broth and the rice is not yet tender, stir in a little hot water.)
• During the last 5 minutes of cooking the risotto, heat a medium nonstick skillet over high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Cook, undisturbed, until browned and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the scallops and continue to cook until just cooked through, about 1 more minute. Remove to a plate.
• Stir the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the parmesan, lemon juice and all but a pinch of the lemon zest into the risotto until creamy. (Add a splash of water to loosen, if necessary.) Season with salt and stir in the parsley and chives. Divide between bowls and top with the scallops; sprinkle with the remaining lemon zest.

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CABERNET RISOTTO AND LEMON BROTH

Steps:

• In a small nonreactive saucepan, combine 1/2 cup lemon juice and the lemon zest. Place over high heat, and bring to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat. Strain into a clean pan, discarding the zest. Add 3 tablespoons butter to the pan, and place over low heat just until the butter is melted. Remove from heat, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the chives; keep warm.
• In a heavy-bottomed 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the leeks, onion and garlic. Cover the pan and allow the mixture to soften without browning, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes. Add the remaining tablespoon butter, and the rice. Saute until the rice is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add about 1/2 cup wine, stirring continuously until the wine is completely absorbed. Add another 1/2 cup wine, and again stir until it is absorbed. Repeat this process until all the wine is used, a total of 25 to 30 minutes. (The rice will be al dente. For a creamier consistency, add more wine and cook longer.) Add the Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover, and keep warm.
• In a large nonreactive saute pan over high heat, heat the remaining olive oil until sizzling. Season the scallops with salt and pepper to taste, and add to pan. Sear until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan, and sprinkle with a little lemon juice.
• To serve, spoon or mold risotto in the center of 4 serving plates or soup bowls. Arrange scallops in the center of the risotto. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the lemon broth around the risotto. If desired, sprinkle each plate with 1/2 teaspoon toasted cracked mustard seeds.

PAN-SEARED LEMON AND GARLIC SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Place scallops in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Cover and let rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Combine 5 tablespoons warm butter, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl; whisk until combined. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• At the same time, remove scallops from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature, about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, making sure it does not smoke. Brush scallops with garlic mixture and add to the pan. Cook until the bottoms begin to sear and turn golden, about 2 minutes. Flip scallops, brush with garlic mixture, and cook another 2 minutes. Remove scallops from the heat and let them continue to cook while they rest, off the heat, for 5 more minutes. Plate and serve.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH BASIL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Combine the pineapple juice and broth in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover with a lid and remove from the heat.
• Heat the butter in a large saucepan set over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
• Add a ladle of the hot juice mixture to the saucepan and cook, stirring, until the liquid is fully absorbed. Continue adding the hot liquid to the saucepan, one ladle at a time and stirring intermittently, until the rice is no longer crunchy, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, then turn off the heat and stir in the basil. Set aside, covered, while you cook the scallops.
• Pat the scallops dry, then season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a medium skillet set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add half the scallops and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip the scallops once, then tilt the skillet and baste them with the oil. Continue cooking the scallops an additional 1 minute, until no longer translucent. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil as needed.
• Divide the risotto among serving plates and top with the scallops.
• Garnish with microgreens and serve.