Seared Scallops With Champagne Saffron Sauce Recipes

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS IN CREAMY CHAMPAGNE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large, high sided skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the bacon is crisp tender. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Turn off the heat and use a spoon to transfer some of the bacon grease to a small bowl. Leave about 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan (for searing scallops).
• While the bacon is cooking, prepare the scallops. Make sure they are completely thaw (run under cool water until they are thaw.) Use your fingers to remove the side muscle from each scallop, if they are there (sometimes it just falls off and you don't need to worry about it. It's not difficult to find. The side muscles are just a little bit tough, which is why we are removing them.)
• Pat each scallop dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Don't go too crazy, scallops are naturally briny.
• Turn the heat on to medium high. When the bacon grease is very hot and shimmery (but before it smokes! or it will turn black instead of golden) add all the scallops to the pan, one at a time, with at least 2 inches of space in between each scallop.
• Sear scallops on medium high heat for about 1 and 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until there is a golden crust on the bottom. If you look at the side of the scallop, it should look cooked about 1/3 of the way up.
• Carefully flip each scallop, then immediately turn off the heat. Let the other side sear for about 1 minute.
• Remove the scallops to a plate and set aside.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease that you removed back into the pan. Add the shallots to the hot pan (medium high heat). Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Add 2 teaspoons of flour and cook for 1 more minute.
• Add 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar. This is optional (and expensive) so you can skip it if you want. I like the flavor it adds.
• Add 1 cup champagne or white wine. I use a Sherry cooking wine. Turn the heat up to high and cook for about 2 minutes, until it has evaporated some.
• Add 1 and 3/4 cup chicken broth (see note). Continue cooking over high heat for about 3 minutes, until it starts to thicken.
• Turn off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup cream, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, and 2 teaspoons fresh thyme.
• Add the scallops to the pan and coat with sauce to heat through. Keep the burner on low if your pasta is not ready yet.
• Meanwhile, prepare the pasta. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt (or just add salt until it tastes like the ocean).
• Add the linguine and stir. Keep stirring occasionally until the pasta is almost al dente, about 7 minutes. In the last minute of cooking time, add a few large handfuls of spinach to the water. Drain the pasta and spinach and return it to the pot.
• Add about 1 cup of the sauce to the pot of pasta and stir. (if your sauce is not finished, drizzle pasta with olive oil, to keep it from sticking.)
• Divide the pasta between two plates. (see note). Top with scallops and plenty of sauce.
• Microwave the bacon for about 20-30 seconds to warm it.
• Sprinkle each plate with bacon, fresh thyme, and shredded parmesan cheese.

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS WITH A SAFFRON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the scallops from the packaging and place them on kitchen paper to ensure they are dry.
• Place the half of the butter (1/4 stick/30 g) and the olive oil into a non stick frying pan and melt over a medium high heat until it is starting to foam.
• Think of the frying pan as a clock and add the scallops to the foaming butter starting at 12 o'clock and then working around clockwise.
• Cook over a medium high heat for 1 1/2 minutes until golden brown.
• Carefully, starting at 12 o'clock again, flip the scallops and cook for a further minute.
• Remove scallops from pan (starting at 12 o'clock again) and place them on a plate near the hob.
• Turn the heat to high and add the wine to the pan.
• Allow this to bubble for a couple of minutes, then reduce the heat and add the saffron.
• Stir well and whisk in the remaining butter (1/4 stick/30 g).
• Once this has melted add the cream and whisk until slightly reduced and thickened.
• Return the scallops to the pan and serve garnished with parsley.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CHAMPAGNE SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large non-stick skillet over high heat, add the saffron threads and toast them just until they start to give off their aroma(not very long, be sure not to burn them).
• Take the saffron threads out of the skillet and set aside.
• Melt half of the butter in the pan and start frying the scallops in batches, adding more butter as needed. Fry them so they are cooked through and lightly browned on each side.
• Transfer the scallops to a warm dish and keep covered.
• Add the saffron to the cooking juices, along with the champagne, cream, and any reserved scallop juices and stir.
• Bring to a boil, and then lower the heat slightly and simmer for about 10 minutes, until reduced to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
• Add freshly squeezed lemon juice from the half a lemon, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Return the scallops to the pan and stir until just heated through.
• Transfer to plates and garnish with parsley. Enjoy :).

SCALLOPS IN SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Put wine, fish stock and saffron in a pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy bottom skillet. Add onion and garlic and cook for five minutes or until soft. Add the scallops and cook gently for five minutes stirring occasionally, or until they turn just opaque. Be careful not to overcook.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the scallops from the skillet and transfer to a warmed plate. Add the saffron liquid to the skillet, bring to a boil, and boil rapidly until reduced to about half. Lower the heat and gradually stir in the cream, just a little at a time. Let simmer gently until the sauce thickens.
• Return the scallops to the skillet and let simmer for 1-2 minutes just to heat them through. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. serve the scallops hot, garnished with parsley, and accompanied by chunks or slices of crusty bread for mopping up the saffron sauce.