Bay scallops, also known as baby or Nantucket scallops, offer a delightful culinary experience with their delicate flavor and tender texture. When combined with the briny, aromatic tang of capers, they create a harmonious dish that tantalizes the palate. Whether you prefer a quick and easy sauté or a more elaborate dish, there are countless recipe variations to suit your preferences. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the freshest ingredients, preparing the scallops and capers, and creating a memorable meal that will impress family and friends alike.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
SEA SCALLOPS WITH BROWN BUTTER, CAPERS AND LEMON
This bright yet rich treatment for scallops came to The Times in a 2009 article about Kevin Zraly, the wine director of Windows on the World from 1976 to 2001. Mr. Zraly turned the restaurant into an international wine mecca: at the time it was destroyed, when the World Trade Center fell, its cellar held close to 100,000 bottles of 1,500 labels. Mr. Zraly and Michael Lomonaco, the chef at the restaurant (both of whom were not at work on Sept. 11 when the planes hit), worked together on hundreds of wine and food pairings throughout the years. This was Mr. Zraly's favorite of Mr. Lomonaco's creations. With it, he recommends a Puligny Montrachet, Olivier Leflaive.
Provided by Alex Witchel
Categories easy, quick, appetizer, main course
Time 15m
Yield 4 appetizer servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Pat scallops dry with paper towels, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a large sauté pan or nonreactive skillet over medium-high heat, and add oil. After 30 seconds, add scallops; do not crowd pan, work in batches if necessary. Sauté until well browned, about 2 minutes, then turn and cook other side. When second side is dark golden, transfer scallops to a platter; cover and keep warm.
- Return sauté pan to heat, add butter, and cook until it begins to foam and turn golden. Add shallot and capers, sauté for 1 minute, then add lemon juice (being careful to avoid sputtering butter) and chopped parsley.
- To serve, place 3 scallops on each of 4 warmed plates. Spoon butter, shallots and capers over scallops, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 255, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Fat 23 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 400 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SCALLOPS WITH CABBAGE AND CAPERS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 42m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the sugar and cook until it just turns golden.
- Add the cabbage and 1/2 teaspoon salt, cover and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the broth and continue cooking, covered, until crisp-tender, another 15 minutes. Preheat the broiler to high.
- Transfer the cabbage to a flameproof casserole dish. Wipe out the skillet, then add the remaining 6 tablespoons butter and melt over medium heat. Brush the scallops with some of the butter and season with salt and pepper; arrange in a single layer over the cabbage in the casserole dish and broil until firm, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, continue cooking the butter over low heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, 5 minutes. Add the capers, raisins and vinegar (be careful - the butter may foam and bubble); swirl the pan until the raisins are plump. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the scallops and cabbage among plates. Add the parsley to the sauce and spoon over the scallops.
CREAMY BAY SCALLOP SPAGHETTI
This scallop and spaghetti dinner with a creamy sauce is fast and easy. I cook the scallops a bit longer than many chefs, but that's gives the dish more flavor and they're still tender and moist. I think you'll agree, the sherry sauce benefits significantly from the longer cook time.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Seafood Shellfish Scallops
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes or 1 minute less than directed on the package.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. When oil just starts to smoke, add scallops and move them into a single layer. Let sear on high for 60 seconds. Toss to turn. Add butter and stir scallops until butter melts. Stir in garlic. Add lemon zest and red pepper flakes. Stir in sherry and cook and stir until alcohol cooks off, about 1 minute. Pour in cream. When mixture begins to simmer, reduce heat to medium-low. Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Drain pasta. Transfer to skillet with scallops; bring to a simmer. Add half the parsley. Cook until pasta is heated through and tender, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Grate generously with grated cheese. Add the rest of the parsley. Serve in warm bowls.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 671.2 calories, Carbohydrate 53.1 g, Cholesterol 166.4 mg, Fat 33.5 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 37.8 g, SaturatedFat 18.3 g, Sodium 572.5 mg, Sugar 1.8 g
SCALLOPS WITH CAPER PAN SAUCE RECIPE BY TASTY
Want to serve a show-stopping dinner that comes together in no time at all? Seared to golden brown perfection and bathed in a buttery pan sauce of fragrant shallots and white wine and briny capers, these scallops are sure to impress. And since the whole dish takes just 15 minutes to make, you don't need to wait for a special occasion to indulge.
Provided by Betsy Carter
Categories Dinner
Time 14m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Season the scallops on both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, melt together 1 tablespoon butter and the olive oil over high heat. When the butter has melted, add the scallops to the pan and sear, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown on both sides and nearly opaque all the way through, 3-4 minutes total. Divide the scallops between 2 plates and return the skillet to medium-high heat.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet. Add the shallots and garlic. Cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the capers and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the wine and cook, stirring, until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and add the remaining tablespoon of butter, swirling the pan until it melts into the sauce. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, then spoon it over the scallops. Serve hot.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 647 calories, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 91 grams, Sugar 2 grams
BAY SCALLOPS WITH CAPERS
Make and share this Bay Scallops With Capers recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Nyteglori
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Sauté onions in oil until transparent.
- Add garlic and continue cooking until onions start browning.
- Add sugar and continue cooking until onions are caramelized.
- Add sherry, capers, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and fresh dill bring to a simmer and simmer 10-15 minutes.
- Add scallops and cook until done. Be careful not to overcook.
- Remove scallops and set aside.
- Add cream and continue cooking until hot.
- To thicken mix cornstarch in a bit of water then add to sauce, cooking until desired thickness is reached.
- To serve. Ladle sauce over noodles and top with scallops. Sprinkle the top of the scallops with parsley and paprika.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 326.4, Fat 18.8, SaturatedFat 8.7, Cholesterol 71.5, Sodium 1117.3, Carbohydrate 13.4, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 3, Protein 17.5
SAUTEED BAY SCALLOPS WITH LEMON BUTTER
Provided by Food Network
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
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.
SCALLOPS WITH CAPERS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES
Steps:
- Heat oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and lemon peel and sauté 30 seconds. Add scallops and sauté until almost cooked through, turning once, about 3 minutes. Transfer scallops to bowl using slotted spoon. Add sun-dried tomatoes, capers, lemon juice and thyme to same skillet. Boil until liquid thickens, adding any accumulated juices from scallops to skillet, about 2 minutes. Add butter and whisk just until melted. Season to taste with salt. Return scallops to skillet and stir just until heated through. Transfer scallops and sauce to plates and serve.
SCALLOPS WITH "MELTED" LEEKS AND TARRAGON-CAPER BUTTER
Provided by Craig Stoll
Categories Milk/Cream Shellfish Sauté Scallop Leek White Wine Tarragon Chive Capers Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy small skillet over medium heat. Add capers; sauté until crisp, about 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Boil wine and next 4 ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat until liquid is reduced to 3 tablespoons, about 15 minutes. Add cream; boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. (Capers and sauce can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and 3/4 cup water. Simmer until leeks are tender and almost all water evaporates, about 4 minutes. Mix in chives. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer leek mixture to platter. Tent with foil.
- Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil in another heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add scallops; sauté until cooked, about 2 minutes per side. Arrange atop leeks. Tent with foil.
- Reheat sauce over medium heat. Gradually add 6 tablespoons butter; whisk until smooth, about 1 minute (do not boil). Strain sauce into small bowl. Stir in capers and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon over scallops.
BAKED BAY SCALLOPS WITH LEMON GARLIC CREAM
I found this in one of my local papers, not sure which one. I have not made it yet, but it sounds good and is easy to make. I think it would also be good made with the small shrimp.
Provided by duonyte
Categories Egg Free
Time 30m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the panko, butter, a pinch of salt and the cheese.
- In another small bowl, combine the thyme, garlic, lemon zest, a hefty pinch of black pepper and the cream.
- Divide the scallops between two individual gratin dishes. Pour half of the cream mixture over each dish of scallops, then sprinkle each evenly with the panko mix. At this point, the dishes can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, or baked immediately.
- Preheat oven to 400 deg F. Place the gratin dishes on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cream is bubbling all over and the crumbs are browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 479.1, Fat 24.4, SaturatedFat 14.3, Cholesterol 128.4, Sodium 1230.2, Carbohydrate 29.6, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 1.9, Protein 34
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and tools ready to go. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling around in the kitchen.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better your dish will taste. Look for plump, firm scallops and briny capers.
- Don't overcook the scallops. Scallops are delicate and cook quickly. Overcooked scallops will be tough and rubbery. Cook them for just a few minutes per side, or until they are opaque in the center.
- Use a non-stick skillet. This will help prevent the scallops from sticking and breaking apart.
- Season the scallops generously. Scallops have a mild flavor, so don't be afraid to season them well. Salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon are all classic seasonings that pair well with scallops.
- Serve the scallops immediately. Scallops are best served hot and fresh out of the pan.
Conclusion:
Bay scallops with capers is a quick, easy, and delicious seafood dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. The scallops are tender and flavorful, and the capers add a briny, salty flavor that complements the scallops perfectly. This dish is sure to please seafood lovers of all ages.
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