This recipe tastes indulgent but is actually quite simple. Seared sea scallops served atop a bed of in-season sweet corn, peaches, tomatoes and jalapeno dressed with olive oil and lime juice. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
I like to heat the corn just long enough to knock the "raw" off without cooking it. You could skip this step or if you prefer, use fully cooked corn.
Most scallop recipes will instruct you to buy dry-packed scallops, which are fantastic if you can find them. But we live in landlocked Arkansas, so the vast majority of the seafood sold here will be frozen or have been previously frozen. And that means the scallops will likely be wet-packed.
Wet-packed scallops have been treated with a solution of water and sodium tripolyphosphate immediately after harvest at sea. This solution is used to preserve their texture and keep their color bright. Scallops range in hue from white or beige to pink or pale coral. The pink/coral ones are females that were spawning.
The part of the scallop that we eat, at least here in the United States, is called the adductor muscle. It is responsible for closing the scallop's shell to propel it through the water. On the side of the adductor muscle is the much smaller abductor muscle. This tiny muscle can be tough so removing it prior to cooking is recommended.
Seared Scallops Over Corn, Peaches and Tomatoes
Olive oil
1 ear corn, shucked OR ¾ cup corn kernels
1 to 2 peaches, sliced
1 cup mixed cherry and grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
½ fresh jalapeno, thinly sliced
Several sprigs fresh thyme, divided use
Salt and ground black pepper
1 lime, halved
10 to 12 ounces sea scallops, abductor (side) muscle removed, patted dry
1 tablespoon butter
Lightly coat a grill pan or other heavy skillet with olive oil. Heat pan until smoking. Add corn and cook until lightly browned.
Cut corn kernels from the cob into a large bowl. Add the peaches, tomatoes, jalapenos and a bit of the thyme; season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle generously with olive oil and squeeze half of the lime over all and set aside.
Season the scallops on both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet until smoking over medium heat. Add the scallops in a single layer. Cook for 90 seconds and then add the butter. Once the butter melts, turn the scallops and tilt and swirl the pan to distribute the butter. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until the scallops are cooked to your liking. Avoid overcooking.
Divide the corn-peach mixture between two plates. Top with scallops. Cut the remaining lime half in half and squeeze over all. Garnish each plate with the remaining thyme.
Makes 2 servings.