Polynesian Scallops Recipes

ZESTY POLYNESIAN SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Broil the scallops for 4 minutes, then turn and broil 2 more minutes.
• In a large saucepan, sauté the chopped onion in the olive oil until tender. Add the sliced mushrooms, bell pepper strips, and chopped tomato; cook until all the vegetables are heated through.
• Arranged the sautéed vegetables on a platter. Top with the broiled scallops. Layer the avacado slices on top of the scallops, then spread mango salsa over the the avacado slices. Top with sour cream, and garnish with green onion slices.

POLYNESIAN SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Cut scallops in half or quarters depending upon size.
• Dry with paper towels.
• Dredge in flour, dip in beaten egg, then roll in coconut.
• Let dry on waxed paper in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
• While scallops are drying, heat chutney and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until butter is melted and mixture is heated through. Keep warm.
• In a deep skillet, heat 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees F. and fry the scallops a few at a time, until coconut is browned lightly, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Drain on paper towels and keep warm until all are done.
• Serve on wooden toothpicks with warmed chutney sauce.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut 2 tablespoons of the butter into pea-sized pieces, put it on a small plate, and stick it in the freezer. Heat a large skillet over medium-heat high for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the olive oil and wait for the butter to melt.
• Pat the scallops dry with paper towels, add them to the pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper; work in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the skillet. Cook, turning once, until they are well browned on both sides but not quite cooked through, 2 minutes per side (less if the scallops are under 1 inch across; more if they're over). Transfer the scallops to a plate.
• Stir in the garlic, lemon juice, and wine and scrape all the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet with a spatula. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the liquid in the skillet thickens, a minute or two, then whisk in the butter you chilled in the freezer, one bit at a time, to make a creamy sauce, adding another tablespoon or two of liquid if necessary.
• Return the scallops to the skillet and add the chives. Adjust the heat so the sauce bubbles gently and toss to coat the scallops with the sauce. To serve, transfer the scallops to a platter and spoon the sauce over all.
• Variation:
• Seared Scallops With Cherry Tomatoes and Basil: Skip the lemon juice. Cut 1 pint cherry tomatoes in half. Add the tomatoes with the garlic and wine and cook until they wrinkle a bit and release their juice, 2 or 3 minutes. Use chopped fresh basil leaves instead of chives.
• Cooks' Notes
• Releasing From The Pan: The scallops will offer no resistance when they're ready to turn. Press down gently while the scallops cook to encourage full contact with the pan, then listen for a hiss: That's moisture heating and evaporating.
• Getting A Good Sear: The idea is to brown the scallops well on both sides without overcooking them, so keep the heat as high as you can without creating too much smoke.
• Building Sauce With Butter: After you add the liquid and deglaze the pan, the addition of butter develops fantastic creaminess and richness.
• Finishing The Dish: As soon as the scallops are cooked through completely and coated with the sauce, remove the pan from the heat; they will continue to cook. Nick-and-peek into one if you need to check for doneness.