Best Scallops With Capellini And Pine Nuts Recipes

SPICY SCALLOPS WITH CAPELLINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°.
• In a large shallow glass or ceramic baking dish, toss the scallops with the oil, wine, parsley, garlic and chipotle.
• Season with salt and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the oil is sizzling and the scallops are firm.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the capellini until just al dente, about 3 minutes.
• Drain; transfer to a serving bowl.
• Add the scallops and their juices, toss well and serve immediately.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH NUTS

Steps:

• Put the oil and half the butter in a large skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the scallops with salt and a bit of cayenne. When the butter foam subsides, add the scallops to the skillet, one at a time (or all at once if you're using bay scallops), and turn the heat to high. Cook for about 2 minutes or until brown on one side, then turn and brown the other side for another minute or two. (Scallops are best when rare in the center; if you like them more well done, cook for another couple of minutes.)
• Transfer the scallops to a plate and keep warm. Add the nuts to the skillet and, still over high heat, cook, stirring, until dark brown, just a minute or two. Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a syrup, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining butter; when it has thickened the sauce, pour over the scallops, garnish if you like, and serve.
• A word about buying scallops: Many are dipped in a chemical solution to prolong their shelf life. Not coincidentally, this soaking causes them to absorb water, which increases their weight and-water being cheaper than scallops-decreases their value. Furthermore, the added water makes browning more difficult. You can recognize processed scallops by their stark white color; in addition, they are usually sitting in liquid at the store. Buy dry, beige (or slightly pink or orange) scallops from a reliable fishmonger and you won't have a problem.
• Many cooks remove the tough little hinge present on one side of most scallops before cooking. But when you're stuffing scallops, leave it on and cut from the side directly opposite. The hinge will then serve the purpose of holding the scallop together and can be removed at the table or eaten; it's slightly tough, but not unpleasant.

SAFFRON SCALLOPS WITH CAPELLINI

Steps:

• Place the scallops in a bowl and sprinkle with the olive oil, saffron and one-half tablespoon tarragon leaves. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
• Preheat broiler. Slice the pepper into thin strips, discarding the seeds. Place the strips inside up on foil paper and broil until the skins are charred. Place in a closed paper bag for a few minutes, then remove the skins.
• Place the pepper strips in a blender and puree. If you need to add liquid to obtain a puree, add some of the white wine. Meanwhile, put six quarts salted water on to boil for the capellini.
• In a heavy skillet, soften the shallots in the vegetable oil. Sautethe scallops briefly (about two minutes) and remove them with a slotted spoon. Keep warm.
• Add the white wine and the pepper puree to the pan. Reduce until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook the capellini until al dente (about three minutes). Drain and place in a heated bowl. Add the butter and toss so that the strands do not stick together.
• Return the scallops to the sauce, heat through and sprinkle with remaining tarragon. Place the mixture on top of the capellini and serve.

LINGUINI WITH SCALLOPS, SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350. Toast the pine nuts in the oven until golden brown, about 8 minutes.
• In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the linguini until just done, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick frying pan over moderately high heat until very hot.
• Put the scallops in the pan and sear until brown on the bottom, 1-2 minutes.
• Turn and sear until brown on the other side, 1-2 minutes longer. Remove the scallops and cut them into quarters.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining 5 tablespoons of oil over moderate heat.
• Add the tomatoes, garlic, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring for 1 minute.
• Toss with the pasta, scallops, pine nuts and the remaining parsley. Add salt to taste.