Best Fried Scallops For Four Recipes

SHIRLEY'S FRIED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Wash scallops in cold water, and drain on paper towel.
• Beat eggs.
• Add salt to crumbs.
• Roll scallops in crumbs, then dip in egg. Roll in crumbs again.
• Deep fry 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Scallops are done when they are white in the middle.
• Drain on absorbent paper towels.
• Serve with lemon and ketchup, tarter sauce, or cocktail sauce.

EASY FRIED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Pour buttermilk into a bowl. Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
• Immerse 4 or 5 scallops in the bowl of buttermilk. Transfer to the flour mixture; roll around until thickly coated.
• Lower scallops gently into the hot oil. Cook until golden and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining scallops.

CRISP PAN-FRIED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Rinse the scallops and pat dry. If they differ in size, cut the larger ones in half crosswise. In a bowl, whisk the egg with the milk, salt, and pepper. Add the scallops and toss gently to coat. Spread the panko on a flat plate and generously coat each scallop.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat until the oil is hot but not smoking. Carefully add about half of the scallops, one at a time. Cook on the first side for 3 or 4 minutes, until golden brown. (If the panko is browning too quickly, reduce the heat.) Turn over the scallops with tongs and cook on the other side until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Place the cooked scallops on paper towels to soak up extra oil. Fry the rest of the scallops. Serve with lemon wedges.
• Look for panko in bags or boxes in Asian markets or supermarkets. We often use Sun Luck brand, but any brand with good ingredients is fine.
• Ask for "dry" or untreated scallops, ones that have not been treated with STP solution (sodium tripolyphosphate), a preservative.
• Serve on a bed of rice with a steamed green vegetable, Peas & Escarole (page 190), or
• refreshing Carrot Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette (page 217).

BREADED AND FRIED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Mix bread crumbs, salt, and pepper in a resealable plastic bag.
• Whisk egg lightly in a bowl. Dip scallops in egg; place in the bread crumb mixture in the bag. Seal bag and shake until scallops are coated with bread crumbs.
• Bring butter, olive oil, and lemon juice to a simmer in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add breaded scallops; cook, shaking skillet occasionally, until browned, 6 to 7 minutes.

FRIED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Combine flour, corn flour and baking powder in a medium-size aluminum baking pan and shake around to mix well.
• Dry scallops with paper towels, then dip both sides in flour mixture and shake off any excess.
• Put a 20-inch iron skillet over a propane gas burner and turn burner to high. Add enough oil to come to a depth of just over 1/4 inch. Heat until oil is hot but not smoking; you can test it by dropping a small piece of scallop into the oil; it should bubble furiously.
• When oil is hot, add scallops in batches small enough so they're not crowded, and cook just until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and eat right away.

FRIED SCALLOPS WITH BIBB AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Heat 2 inches vegetable oil (about 3 1/2 cups) in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Soak the sliced fennel in a bowl of ice water; set aside.
• Toss the scallops with 1/2 cup buttermilk and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl; set aside. Make the dressing: Puree the remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil with the parsley, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a blender until smooth; set aside. Mix the cornmeal, flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow baking dish.
• Drain the scallops from the buttermilk, dredge in the cornmeal mixture to coat and transfer to a plate. Fry the scallops in two batches until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a rack set on a baking sheet; season with salt. Return the oil to 375 degrees F between batches.
• Drain the fennel and pat dry with paper towels. Combine the fennel, lettuce, radishes and chives in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss; season with salt and pepper. Divide the salad among bowls and top with the scallops and fennel fronds.