Baked Scallops: The Ultimate Date Night Dinner Delight - Pawonation

For many of my weeknight dinners I’m aiming for three specific flavors: buttery, garlicky, and crispy. If this combination appeals to you as much as it does to me, allow me to present a remarkably simple solution. seafood dinner If you're looking for something that excels in every aspect, consider baked scallops. Don't worry if this is your first time preparing them; they are quite straightforward to cook and can be ready in roughly 30 minutes. Perfect as an impromptu meal choice, yet elegant enough for hosting guests or impressing someone special during a dinner event. date night .

What People Are Saying:

I tried making these for the first time this way and they turned out yummy; I'll definitely keep doing them like this. est7171

Ways to Prepare Oven-Baked Scallops

INGREDIENTS

• Scallops: When purchasing scallops, consider these points. Opt for fresh scallops packaged without liquid, as they work best in recipes. They'll perform far superiorly compared to those saturated with brine. Good scallops must be solid, moisture-free, lacking an overly glossy appearance, and retain a sea breeze scent.
• Butter: Each dish can benefit from a touch of butter. In this case, the melted butter will mix with the garlic to form a luscious and fragrant foundation for the scallops to cook in. The scallops will soak up all that buttery taste, enhancing their consistency beautifully and ensuring they stay tender.
• Garlic: This dish truly shines with the bold, fragrant zing of fresh garlic. In essence, we're preparing garlic butter, so how could seafood paired with garlic butter not be utterly delightful?
• Lemon Juice: Light seafood often thrives with a touch of acidity. The zesty sharpness of the lemon juice enhances all the tastes in these delightful small portions.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: Panko is more lightweight and airy compared to other breadcrumb varieties because it’s crafted exclusively from bread without the crusts. When dealing with components that have distinct textures, such as scallops, it's crucial to think about how those textures will interact within your dish. Heavy, crispy breadcrumbs could overpower the delicate, creamy consistency of the scallops.
• Parmesan: I'm not adding heaps of Parmesan; I only use enough to provide a hint of the nutty, cheesy taste without overshadowing the delicate flavor of the scallops.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: In this recipe, the olive oil helps infuse moisture into the panko, facilitating a slight browning during cooking. This process lends a delightful crispness to the exterior and an appealing coloration to the dish.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Begin by preparing the oven and the scallops. As you wait for the oven to reach temperature, gently remove excess moisture from the scallops using paper towels and place them in a baking dish. Sprinkle each scallop with salt and pepper.

Next, in a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, finely chopped garlic, and lemon juice to form the flavorful base for cooking the scallops. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the scallops, ensuring each one gets coated with the buttery sauce.

In a different bowl, combine Panko, Parmesan, olive oil, and a small dash of red pepper flakes. Then, evenly distribute this mixture over each scallop ensuring every mouthful has a delightful crunch.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the scallops are cooked through yet remain translucent. Be cautious not to overcook them since scallops can become rubbery; aim instead for a crisp exterior with a soft, warmed interior that’s slightly see-through.

Take the dish out of the oven and ladle the butter mixture back over the scallops before serving with lemon wedges.

The complete set of ingredients along with the directions can be seen in the recipe provided below.

Recipe Tips

• Acquire the finest scallops available. Seafood tastes much better when it’s fresh, but scallops require extra care. Top-quality scallops should be dry-packed, solid, and have an authentic sea scent. Ideally, look for those attached to their shells; this makes preparation more rewarding. Additionally, these shells serve wonderfully as charming presentation bowls!
• Don’t overcook them. Stale scallops are not anyone's favorite. Similar to squid, overdone scallops turn tough and chewy.

What Are Good Side Dishes for Baked Scallops?

These tasty scallops undoubtedly steal the spotlight at the dining table; however, several delightful sides can accompany them as well. Garlic mashed potatoes , grilled green beans , caprese asparagus , and potatoes au gratin would all be ideal side dishes to these scallops.

Storage

After cooking, keep your scallops in an sealed container inside the refrigerator for up to two days. Please note: the breadcrumb coating might not remain as crisp and tasty when saved for later, hence we suggest savoring them fresh on the same day.

Yields: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb.

  scallops

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 4 tbsp.

  butter, melted

• 3

  cloves garlic, minced

• The juice from half a lemon

• 1/4 c.

  panko bread crumbs

• 1/4 c.

  freshly grated Parmesan

• 4 tsp.

  extra-virgin olive oil

• Pinch red pepper flakes

• Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 425°F. Dry the scallops using paper towels and arrange them in a small baking dish. Add some salt and pepper for seasoning.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, garlic, and lemon juice. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the scallops.
3. In a separate little bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oil, and red pepper flakes. Then distribute this mixture evenly over each scallop.
4. Cook until the tops turn golden and the scallops appear slightly opaque, which should take about 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Drizzle butter atop them and serve alongside lemon wedges.

Scallop Variations

Made This?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

Related Posts