Scallops With Chorizo Hazelnut Picada Recipes

SCALLOPS WITH CHORIZO & HAZELNUT PICADA

Steps:

• To make the picada, put ½ tbsp oil in a small frying pan over a medium heat. After a few mins, drop a piece of the bread in - if it sizzles, reduce the heat a little and add all the bread in a single layer. Fry, turning frequently, until the bread is pale gold, then spread it out on kitchen paper to cool. Add the remaining oil to the pan, fry the garlic until golden and add to the bread.
• Toast the nuts until fragrant (they should smell toasted), then rub in a tea towel while still warm to remove the skins. Blitz the bread and garlic with the nuts, lemon zest and coriander in a food processor using the pulse button (you want a coarse mix). Mix in the vinegar, sherry and salt, and add lemon juice to taste.
• Look at the scallops to find a little white bit at the side - this becomes tough when cooked, so cut it off (watch our how to prepare scallops video). Pat the scallops dry with kitchen paper (they don't colour well if you fry them when they're wet) and brush with extra virgin olive oil.
• Fry the chorizo in a little oil in a small frying pan until well coloured all over with a slight crust.
• Meanwhile, heat another pan until searing hot, add a small glug of oil, then the scallops. Season and cook for about 30 secs each side - you want just a little colour. Divide the scallops between the four shells, add the chorizo and top with the hazelnut mixture and a knob of butter. Put under a hot grill until cooked through (mine took about 90 secs). Squeeze on a little more lemon juice and serve immediately.

SCALLOPS WITH HAZELNUT BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• In a large skillet, stirring frequently, cook butter over medium heat until golden brown and most of the foam has subsided, about 4 minutes. Immediately transfer butter to a small bowl. Stir in hazelnuts and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Cover hazelnut butter to keep warm, and set aside. Wipe out pan with a paper towel.
• Season scallops generously with salt and pepper. Place same skillet over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, cook scallops, in two batches (to avoid steaming), until browned and opaque in center, turning over once with a thin-bladed metal spatula, about 2 minutes total.
• Divide arugula among four serving plates; top with scallops. Spoon hazelnut butter over scallops.

SCALLOPS AND CHORIZO

Steps:

• Put a pan on to get hot and then dry-fry (the chorizo will give out plenty of its own oil) the chorizo until crisped on either side; this should take no more than 2 minutes.
• Remove the chorizo to a bowl and fry the scallops in the chorizo oil for about 1 minute a side.
• Return the chorizo to the pan with the scallops, add the lemon juice and let bubble for a few seconds before arranging on a serving plate and sprinkling with lots of parsley.