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Tuesday 26 May 2015

Scallops food of the Gods !


Scallops served on a bed of chopped salad - just choose your favourite ingredients

Some General Information About Scallops:
"Buyer's guide:
Scallops can be bought in or out of their shells. The two main varieties available in the UK are the larger king scallop and the tiny queen scallop. Look out for scallops that have been harvested by hand-diving - this method has less impact on the environment than dredging for scallops does (though carefully monitored dredging at limited times is less damaging to the sea bed than random dredging).
Preparation:
Scallops can be steamed, fried or grilled but should be cooked gently and only for a very short time or their delicate flavour and texture will be spoiled. Steam them in wine with aromatics as you would mussels, or wrap them in prosciutto and grill or fry for a few minutes. Scallops go well with Asian ingredients: try pan-frying them in oil with ginger and fresh coriander. They're also a good complement to hearty flavours such as bacon, chorizo, black pudding or watercress. Take care not to over-cook them: serve as soon as they are firm and opaque. You’ll need about four to five king scallops per person for a main meal or about a dozen queen scallops."


Above words taken from here

Hazelnut butter grilled scallops with salad

Hazelnut butter grilled scallops with salad

These scallops, are simply and delicately flavoured with fresh herbs, lemon zest and rich hazelnuts, and takes less than ten minutes to cook.

Ingredients:
Serves Two
For the scallops
1 tsp olive oil
1 shallot, peeled, finely sliced
75g/2½oz butter, softened
½ lemon, zest only
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chervil
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
45g/1½oz hazelnuts, finely chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 scallops, cleaned

For the salad
½ tbsp wholegrain mustard
½ tbsp good quality white wine vinegar
1½ tbsp good quality rapeseed oil
1 Little Gem Lettuce, leaves separated
1 punnet pea shoots

Preparation method:
1. For the scallops, heat a frying pan until warm, add the olive oil and shallot and fry gently until softened but not coloured.
2. Place the butter into a bowl and add the cooked shallot, along with all the remaining scallop ingredients, except the scallops. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix well.
3. Preheat the grill to high.
4. Place the scallops onto a grill tray and top each scallop with a spoonful of the hazelnut butter. Place under the grill for 3-4 minutes, or until just cooked through. Remove from the grill and set aside to rest for one minute.
5. For the salad, whisk the mustard, vinegar and oil together in a bowl. Place the lettuce leaves and pea shoots into a bowl, drizzle over the dressing and stir to coat.
6. To serve, place three scallops onto each of 2 serving plates and serve with a pile of salad.


Above recipe taken from here

Thanks for reading, and if you should try these recipe suggestions, I hope you enjoy them.

All the best Jan

10 comments:

Jo said...

I'm definitely going to have to try scallops, they both look and sound delicious.

Lowcarb team member said...

Please do give them a try Jo ... I'm sure you will like them, and let us know - thanks.

As always many thanks for your comment, hope your day is going well.

All the best Jan

Anonymous said...

Looks such delicious and tasty food. Must have these for a special celebration meal soon.

Jenny S

Anonymous said...

These look so wonderful.
Sue..

Carla from The River said...

Oh my mouth is watering. I love scallops. I will have to get some soon to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. :-) A good excuse to splurge, they are spendy here in Wisconsin.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Jan, I've never tried cooking scallops but I love to eat them. I'm just learning to cook various kinds of seafood. Perhaps I'll try these.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Jenny ... I do agree with you these would be great cooked and served for a celebration meal.

Thanks for your comment

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Sue - and many thanks for your comment. If you should try scallops soon - hope you enjoy them.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Carla, and many thanks for your comment. These scallops would make an ideal Anniversary Meal - I do agree they are more expensive but so worth it for a special occasion.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Roses and Lilacs and many thanks for your comment. I love to include fish / seafoods within my menu plans. Scallops are perhaps more for a special occasion, because they can be expensive, but do hope you give this recipe a try - I'm sure you will enjoy it.

All the best Jan