Best Basil Scallop Pasta Salad Recipes

SCALLOPS AND PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For Dressing:
• In a small bowl stir together the orange peel, orange juice, vinegar, pectin, and sugar until smooth.
• Cover and chill at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours.
• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.
• Rinse with cold water; drain again.
• Meanwhile, thaw scallops, if frozen.
• Cut any large scallops in half.
• Bring water to boiling; add scallops.
• Return to boiling.
• Simmer, uncovered, for 1 to 3 minutes or until scallops are opaque.
• Drain.
• Rinse under cold running water.
• For salad, in a large bowl toss together cooked macaroni, cooked scallops, spinach, peas, onion, celery, and sweet pepper.
• Stir dressing; pour over salad.
• Toss to coat.
• Makes five 2-cup servings.

PASTA SEAFOOD SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, drop in the shrimp and scallops, cook for one minute, and drain immediately.
• Bring another large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta as directed on the package, until tender but not mushy. Drain.
• Toss the cooked pasta and seafood in a large bowl (make sure they are both well drained).
• Add the peas (no need to cook them), red pepper, and onion, and toss.
• Place dressing ingredients (olive oil, basil leaves, lemon juice, salt, and pepper) in a food processor bowl fitted with a metal blade. Process until basil is very fine. Pour over the pasta/seafood mixture and mix well. Taste and add salt, pepper, and/or lemon juice as necessary.
• Place the salad in a serving bowl or mound it on a platter. Scatter with greek olives.
• Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate. Salad tastes better when at room temperature, so if refrigerating until later, be sure to take it out of the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

SPAGHETTI WITH LEMON, BASIL AND SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Whisk oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in small bowl, then stir in Parmesan until thick and creamy. Set aside.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Add scallops in single layer (uncovered) and cook until scallops are firm, about 3 minutes; transfer to bowl and cover.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta and return pasta to the pot. Stir in reserved olive oil mixture, scallops with any accumulated juices, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and basil; toss to combine. Add reserved cooking water as needed to adjust consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Garnish with additional sprigs of basil, if desired.

BASIL PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS OVER PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, rinse, and transfer to a large serving bowl.
• Meanwhile, place scallops in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper. Pour mixture over scallops. Arrange scallops in a single layer in a large baking dish or plate. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon dried basil over scallops so that only one side is sparsely coated with basil.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high, and melt one tablespoon of butter in the pan. Place 12 scallops basil-side down, and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until dark golden brown. Turn scallops, and cook the other side. Cook the remaining 12 scallops the same way.
• In a small saucepan, melt remaining butter with 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon basil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Toss pasta with butter and olive oil mixture. Divide pasta onto plates, and top with scallops.