GRILLED SCALLOPS WITH VEGETABLES AND HOISIN-ORANGE SAUCE

Grilled Scallops with Vegetables and Hoisin-Orange Sauce image

Provided by Stan Frankenthaler

Yield Makes 4 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

Sauce
1 8.5-ounce jar hoisin sauce sauce*
1/3 cup orange juice
1 1/2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
Vegetables
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons oriental sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce*
1 teaspoon fish sauce (nam pla)*
1 bunch watercress, trimmed
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, cut into matchstick-size strips
1 medium carrot, peeled, cut into matchstick-size strips
3/4 cup cilantro leaves (from large bunch)
1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
Scallops
1 1/2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
1 tablespoon oriental sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
12 large sea scallops
Vegetable oil

Steps:

For sauce:
Mix all ingredients in bowl. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
For vegetables:
Mix first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add watercress, cucumber, carrot, cilantro, and onion and toss to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand 30 minutes or chill up to 1 hour, tossing occasionally.
For scallops:
Stir coriander seeds in small skillet over medium heat until fragrant and slightly darker, about 2 minutes. Transfer seeds to plastic bag. Using mallet or hammer, coarsely crack seeds. Combine sesame oil and ginger in medium bowl; mix in coriander seeds, then scallops. Let stand at least 30 minutes or chill up to 1 hour.
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Thread 3 scallops onto each of 4 skewers. Brush barbecue rack with oil to prevent sticking. Grill scallops until just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side. Divide vegetables among 4 plates. Top each with scallops and serve, passing hoisin-orange sauce separately.
Available at Asian markets and many supermarkets.