Creamy Garlic Scallops
If you are a seafood enthusiast, then creamy garlic scallops are a must-try for you. These mouth-watering scallops are a combination of tender and juicy scallops infused in a thick and creamy garlic sauce. The sauce is delicately seasoned with herbs and spices that provide a burst of flavor with every bite.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Scallops
Creamy garlic scallops are a quick and easy meal to make for any occasion. The best way to make creamy garlic scallops is to start by heating oil in a pan over medium-high heat until it is hot.
Now, add the scallops then sear each side for 3 minutes or until golden brown before reducing the heat to low-medium heat. Remove the scallops and then add butter and garlic to the same pan to make the sauce. Cook the garlic until fragrant, and then add dry white wine, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Cook the sauce until it thickens and then add a squeeze of lemon juice.
Next, place the scallops back in the skillet and toss them in the sauce to coat evenly. This will further develop all of those flavors while making your sauce creamy at the same time! When ready, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top as garnish. Serve immediately over hot cooked pasta or mashed potatoes alongside steamed vegetables for an amazing dinner experience!
How to Prepare Scallops
Preparing scallops may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy. In fact, all you really need is a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking methods to bring out the best of these delicate mollusks.
To begin with, you should always start with fresh scallops – never frozen or pre-cooked ones. Make sure they smell and look good. Whatever you do, don’t rinse the scallops under running water as this will remove their natural ocean flavor.
Once your scallops are ready to go it’s time to prepare them for cooking.
How to Thaw Scallops
Thawing scallops is a straightforward process that requires careful handling to ensure the best results. First, place your frozen scallops in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight until they are thawed completely. This method takes some patience and planning, but it ensures that your scallops will remain at a consistent temperature as they thaw.
If you’re crunched for time, you can also submerse them in cold water for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to evenly disperse the cold water around the edges of each scallop.
Once the scallops have been thawed, be sure to pat them dry with paper towels before cooking to remove any excess liquid that may have been released during their defrosting process.
How to Cook Scallops
Cooking scallops can be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be – with the right technique and ingredients, you can make a delicious and impressive meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook scallops:
- Begin by purchasing fresh, dry sea scallops that are of high quality. Avoid wet or frozen scallops, as they will not sear properly when cooked. If you do purchase frozen ones, make sure you defrost them in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
- Pat your scallops with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture from thawing process if necessary – this will help ensure even cooking when they hit the skillet later on!
- Heat up some oil (canola or vegetable) in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallops. Try not to overcrowd them since they need room to cook evenly without steaming one another! The average sized 1 ½ inch diameter should take no more than 3 minutes per side depending on thickness of course. You know it’s done when both sides have turned golden brown and crisp up nicely around edges. Transfer onto plate lined with paper towels afterwards so extra grease is absorbed away from food & keep warm while preparing rest of meal if necessary.
Creamy Garlic Scallops
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs scallops
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ medium lemon juice
- parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the pan on medium-high heat and add oil. When the pan is hot, add the scallops. Cook on each side for about three minutes, making sure not to overcook them.
- Remove the scallops and then add butter and garlic to the same pan to make the sauce. Cook the garlic until fragrant, and then add dry white wine, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the sauce until it thickens and then add a squeeze of lemon juice. Place the scallops back in the skillet and toss them in the sauce to coat evenly.
- Serve with some fresh parsley and enjoy the creamy garlic scallops!
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Sides to go with Scallops
Creamy garlic scallops are a delicious and easy meal that can be made with just a few ingredients! While the scallops themselves are naturally savory, there’s no better way to balance out their delicate flavor than with some tasty sides.
If you’re looking for something light and healthy, try pairing your creamy garlic scallops with a side of green beans or asparagus. Both vegetables provide plenty of vitamins A, C, K and folic acid without being heavy on calories – perfect to help keep you feeling energized after dinner! Or if you prefer something heartier, roasted potatoes make an excellent addition to your plate. If desired, these can also be seasoned in advance with aromatic herbs like rosemary or thyme for an extra flavor kick.
For starch lovers, rice is always a great accompaniment for creamy garlic scallops. Prepared simply as white jasmine rice or more adventurous variations like saffron-infused long grain wild rice both serve as good filler options on the plate. You can even opt for brown basmati which has more fiber content than traditional white rice – plus it looks beautiful too!
Looking for more seafood recipes? Try these!
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