Best Southwest Sautéed Scallops Recipes

SAUTEED BAY SCALLOPS WITH LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Choose a saute pan large enough to hold all of the scallops in one layer without overcrowding the pan or without them touching each other. Cook in batches if necessary. Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter until nearly smoking. Add the scallops and do not move or shake pan, but allow the scallops to brown well on one side before tossing the pan to flip them or gently turning them with a spatula to cook the second side.
• Remove the scallops from the pan and place on a warm serving platter. Return the pan in which the scallops had been cooked to the fire, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sweet butter, and cook until the butter begins to turn a light brown color. When the butter has browned to a hazelnut color add the lemon juice and chopped parsley.
• Pour the classic lemon butter over the scallops, garnish with heart-shaped croutons and serve promptly.

EASY GARLIC-LEMON SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic, and cook for a few seconds until fragrant. Add scallops, and cook for several minutes on one side, then turn over, and continue cooking until firm and opaque.
• Remove scallops to a platter, then whisk salt, pepper, and lemon juice into butter. Pour sauce over scallops to serve.

SAUTEED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• In a medium size saucepan melt butter over medium-high heat. Add crushed garlic and whole sprigs of rosemary to the saucepan. Add scallops, cook for 2 minutes on each side (or until desired consistency). Remove the garlic and rosemary from pan. Serve.

SAUTéED SCALLOPS WITH BROWN BUTTER AND PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• In a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Cook until the foam subsides and the butter solids turn a deep, nut brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the seeds from the preserved lemon and finely dice.
• Add the rosemary branches and chopped garlic to the butter and cook 30 seconds. Add the scallops, preserved lemon and a large pinch of salt. Lower the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring, until scallops are just opaque, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the scallops carry over off the heat for a few minutes.
• Season with additional salt, as needed, and pepper. Squeeze lemon juice over scallops and serve with chopped fresh herbs if you like.

SAUTéED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Dredge the scallops in flour. Heat the butter and oil in a large heavy skillet over high heat, and when it is sizzling, shake the excess flour from the scallops and scatter them in the hot pan. Keep the heat high, and turn and move the scallops around frequently, giving the pan a shake now and then. Total cooking time should not be more than 3 minutes-or 4 for really large pieces. Season the scallops lightly with salt and several grindings of the pepper mill, and remove them to a warm plate. Lower the heat to moderate, and toss the shallot into the pan. Stir it around for about 30 seconds, splash in the wine, and let it reduce slightly. Pour this sauce over the scallops, scraping up every bit of pan juice with a spatula. Sprinkle the parsley on top.
• Variation
• Sometimes I wrap a band of prosciutto around the circumference of each scallop and secure it with a toothpick. These can be broiled, or sautéed as above. The sharp saltiness of the prosciutto, along with the briny taste of the scallops, creates a striking combination of flavors.

SCALLOPS PROVENCAL

Steps:

• If you're using bay scallops, keep them whole. If you're using sea scallops, cut each 1 in half horizontally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss with flour, and shake off the excess.
• In a very large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over high heat until sizzling and add the scallops in 1 layer. Lower the heat to medium and allow the scallops to brown lightly on 1 side without moving them, then turn and brown lightly on the other side. This should take 3 to 4 minutes, total. Melt the rest of the butter in the pan with the scallops, then add the shallots, garlic, and parsley and saute for 2 more minutes, tossing the seasonings with the scallops. Add the wine, cook for 1 minute, and taste for seasoning. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice.

SAUTéED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Place a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat, and add to it 3 tablespoons of the butter. When it has melted and started to foam, place the scallops in the pan in a single layer, and season with a pinch or two of salt.
• Cook scallops without moving until the bottoms are golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes, then turn them over, add the wine and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.