With summer just around the corner, it's time to leave those hearty, heavy, winter dishes behind and get in to the summer mode of quick and easy, lighter menus that suit our more active months.
It's difficult to contemplate spending hours preparing elaborate meals, requiring you to stand before a hot stove for what seems an eternity on a hot summer's day. Appetites wane. You and your family want a light repast which doesn't compromise on taste, delivering nutrition while not overloading your capacity to digest the meal, forcing you to take a nap.
Here, we've got three summer scallops recipes that fill the bill. From delectable salads to skewered tasties, you can take your pick, adding a number of delicious meals that are elegant, economical, and will satisfy your summer appetite. Let's see what you can do with a few scallops.
When purchasing scallops, inspect the color carefully. They should be slightly beige and show no tinges of pink a pink color indicates the scallops have passed their prime. They should not be swimming in juices either. If previously frozen, do not refreeze! Refreezing, then thawing, produces a tough scallop. Ask the clerk to put your package inside a bag lined with ice. Purchasing scallops, using these guidelines, assures a successful dish with any scallops recipes. Plan to prepare the scallops within 24 hours of refrigeration. One pound of scallops is sufficient to serve four people.
This classic scallops recipe is simplicity itself. Cut pieces of raw bacon into lengths which can be wrapped around each scallop, with the ends of the bacon meeting. Secure the bacon with a toothpick. Broil the scallops, about 6 from the flame, until the scallops are browned and the bacon is done. Meanwhile, boil a batch of linguine according to the package instructions. Heat a jar of Alfredo sauce in a medium saucepan. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Divide the drained linguine among 4 dinner plates. Do the same with the broiled scallops, removing the toothpicks as you go along. Ladle the sauce over all. Snip fresh parsley over each dish to garnish. Among scallops recipes, this one is magnificent and easy.
If you're in the mood to grill, try a scallops shishkabob. Alternate whole mushrooms, tomato wedges, pearl onions and pineapple chunks with uncooked, bacon-wrapped scallops. Grill until the scallops and bacon are done, turning once. Serve over a bed of rice, with lemon wedges on the side.
Scallops recipes lend themselves well to chef-style salads. Saute the scallops until they are lightly browned. Prepare individual salad plates of mixed greens. Line the side of the plate with tomato wedges, a hard-boiled, sliced egg, slices of red bell pepper and a couple of thinly sliced pieces of fresh lemon. Mound the sauted scallops in the enter. Serve with 1000 Island dressing on the side.
So, there you have three new, elegant, delicious and easy scallops recipes. Experiment with other fruits and veggies, according to your taste. Stay cool and enjoy those warm summer days!