Best Seared Scallops With Pumpkin And Herbed Orzo Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH PUMPKIN BROTH AND ROASTED HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and pumpkin, and saute until soft, without letting vegetables brown. Add honey and continue to cook until it caramelizes. Add chicken stock and let simmer for 10 minutes. Puree mixture in a food processor or blender, in batches as necessary. (See note.)
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add scallops, in batches if necessary, and sear until golden brown on 1 side, turn, and continue cooking until just cooked through in the middle.
• Place 4 scallops, seared side up, in the bottom of 4 deep bowls. Pour the pumpkin broth into the bowl. Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts over top. Drizzle with hazelnut oil and garnish with chopped chives.

SEARED SCALLOPS OR SHRIMP WITH ORZO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions and set aside.
• In large heavy pot, heat oil and saute mushrooms, onion, sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper until soft.
• Add stock and bring to a boil.
• Stir in orzo, parmesan and parsley. Add cream and simmer gently, stirring frequently, until mixture is creamy but not runny, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in very hot pan. Season scallops or shrimp with salt and pepper. For scallops: sear until brown on outside but opaque in the middle. For shrimp: sear until just pink and cooked through.
• Sprinkle parmesan cheese over risotto and top with scallops or shrimp.

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH PUMPKIN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Roast miniature pumpkins:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Roast whole miniature pumpkins in a small roasting pan with 1/2 inch water, tightly covered with foil, until very tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool slightly. Cut out tops and reserve, then scoop out seeds. Discard water from roasting pan, then return pumpkin shells to pan and keep warm, covered with foil.
• Make risotto while pumpkins roast:
• Cook diced pumpkin in a medium saucepan two-thirds full of simmering water until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain in a colander.
• Bring stock and 2 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan and keep at a bare simmer. Cook onion in oil in a 2- to 2 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add 1 cup simmering stock and cook at a strong simmer, stirring constantly, until stock is absorbed. Continue simmering, adding stock 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until rice is tender and creamy-looking but still al dente, about 18 minutes total. (There may be broth left over.)
• Remove from heat and stir in diced pumpkin, cheese, and butter, stirring until butter is melted. Season with salt and pepper and cover to keep warm.
• Prepare scallops:
• Pat scallops dry and season with salt. Heat oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté scallops, turning once, until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. If scallops are not cooked through, reduce heat to moderate and cook about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon and discard any oil remaining in skillet (do not clean skillet).
• Cook butter in same skillet over moderate heat until it foams and turns light brown. Add sage and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in truffle oil. Season with salt.
• To serve:
• Put each pumpkin shell on a plate, fill with risotto, and cover with reserved tops. Arrange scallops around pumpkin and drizzle with sage butter.

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH LEMON ORZO

Steps:

• Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Coat pan with cooking spray.
• Add onion to pan; saute 3 minutes.
• Stir in pasta, broth, wine, and thyme; bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and pasta is al dente.
• Stir in chopped chives and lemon juice.
• Keep warm.
• Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle scallops evenly with salt and pepper and add them to the pan; cook 3 minutes on each side until desired degree of doneness.
• Serve with pasta mixture.
• Serving size is 4 1/2 oz. scallops and about 3/4 cup pasta mixture.