Best Scallop Quinoa Paella Recipes

FABULOUS MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE SCALLOP PAELLA

Steps:

• Preheat a large dutch oven or paella pan on the stove-top over low heat for about 3-5 minutes.
• Now, add the olive oil and butter to the pan. Saute bell peppers, celery, onion and garlic in the fat over medium to med-high heat, just until celery and onions are barely softened.
• Add the rice, water, diced tomatoes, Knorr chicken granules, bay leaf, rosemary, saffron and seasonings. Cover and simmer gently over low heat for about 18-22 minutes, until rice is almost but not quite done. Stir midway through, and add a little additional water if needed.
• Rinse and drain the scallops, in a colander (no need to pat dry).
• Add the peas, scallops and parsley to the rice mixture. Cover and cook on low for a further 5-10 minutes until scallops are done and the paella is steaming hot. Note: Take care not to overcook the scallops.
• Taste and adjust seasonings. Remove bay leaf and sprig of rosemary before serving.
• Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges at the table. Accompany the paella with slices of fresh buttered sourdough or country bread and a nice glass of wine (I served a red California cabernet sauvignon). Enjoy!

SCALLOP-QUINOA PAELLA

Steps:

• 1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, peppers, onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. 2. Stir in chicken broth, 1 cup water, quinoa, artichoke hearts, peas, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and add scallops. Simmer, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and scallops are cooked through. 3. Allow to stand 5 minutes, covered, before serving.

GRILLED SCALLOPS WITH ORANGE-SCENTED QUINOA

Steps:

• For the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the quinoa, orange zest and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook until all the liquid has been absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Fluff with a fork, cover the pan and let the quinoa sit for 10 to 12 more minutes.
• For the scallops: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Spray with cooking spray. Thread 3 scallops onto a skewer. Thread another skewer (alongside the first) through the scallops about 1/2-inch apart to make flipping the skewers easier. Repeat with the remaining scallops and skewers to make 6 skewers in total. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Grill until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until smooth.
• Place the quinoa in a large serving bowl. Add the dressing, beans and parsley. Toss until coated. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the grilled scallops on top and serve.

SCALLOP PAELLA

Steps:

• Cook half of onion with half of saffron in 1 tablespoon oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in couscous, then add water and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed and couscous is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes.
• While couscous stands, cook bell pepper and remaining onion in 2 teaspoons oil with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and remaining saffron in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Pat scallops dry and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté 8 scallops, turning over once, until golden brown and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and keep warm, loosely covered with foil. Wipe out skillet and heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil, then sauté remaining 8 scallops, transferring to plate.
• Heat a dry deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot, then cook mussels, covered, shaking skillet occasionally, until mussels just open wide, 3 to 5 minutes. (Discard any mussels that remain unopened after 5 minutes.) Transfer mussels to a bowl with a slotted spoon, then add clams to skillet and cook, covered, shaking skillet occasionally, until clams just open wide, 6 to 10 minutes. (Discard any clams that remain unopened after 10 minutes.) Add shrimp to clams along with chorizo, mussels, cooked vegetables, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until shrimp is just cooked through, about 1 minute. Stir in couscous, scallops, and peas until heated through.