For many areas in Florida, scallop season starts around July 1 and runs through the end of September. Folks have asked if I have scallop recipes and I actually have several on the blog: Scallop Ceviche, Bay Scallops Casserole, and Shrimp & Scallop Zoodles. And while I’d love to create a new one for this week, I’m in the throws of preparing for a much-needed vacation, so I decided to re-share this popular recipe.
The topping I used for these scallops is really tasty and would be great with little scallops like the ones found in Crystal River, Florida, or big sea scallops. As I said in the original post, I’d even put this topping on liver and gobble it up.
By the way, my little pup Libby made her first appearance in this post! She’s two years older, and still loves to hang out with me in the kitchen. Here she is at a recent beach sunset:
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How do you pronounce scallops, those tasty, saltwater bi-valves?
I heard myself ordering them at the fish counter recently – it went something like “I’d like a half pound of skal-ups, please.”
Holy cow. No one would ever believe I’m originally from New England.
Why? Because there are purists who believe the only correct way to pronounce it is “skawl-up,” and that anyone who says it like “gallup” (like me) should be banished from New England. Tough stuff, but die-hard New Englanders know what’s important 🙂
In my defense, living in Florida for 27 years has caused me to lose some of my dialect. But I’m certain that if you stuck me at a table at the Cape Cod Scallop Festival I’d fit right in, ‘cause it comes back all-too-quickly.
Now, let’s talk about this tasty dish.
I picked up these sea scallops at a local fish market (flown in from Cape Cod) and got my inspiration for the topping from a delicious dish Chef Steve Phelps prepared at a sustainable seafood dinner in Sarasota. His casserole had wild, farmed and invasive species – Lionfish, Beeliners (Snapper) and Two Docks Clams – in one dish, topped with crunchy, buttery, tarragon bread crumbs. So delicious, in fact, that I would put those bread crumbs on liver and gobble it up.
I decided to incorporate fresh tarragon into my pine nut/Panko/lemon topping for these seared scallops. With a nice sear on one side of each scallop, I flipped them, topped them with this stuff and popped them under the broiler for just a little bit. These were tender/juicy inside and crunchy/buttery outside. Yum.
By the way, I pulled this dish together with a little helper. . .our new pup, Libby. She’s 50% Maltese, 50% Jack Russell, and 100% adorable. She loves to sit on her kitchen stool to watch me cook.
- ¼ c. Panko bread flakes
- 1 tsp. minced fresh tarragon
- 1 tsp. minced fresh parsley
- 1 T. grated parmesan cheese
- 1 Tb. minced pine nuts (or slivered almonds)
- Zest ½ lemon
- Pinch kosher salt
- Few grinds fresh black pepper
- 2 Tb. melted butter
- 10-12 sea scallops (about ½ lb.), side muscle removed, if any
- 1 Tb. unsalted butter
- Olive oil
- Lemon wedges for sprinkling over cooked scallops
- Set broiler to high.
- Add Topping ingredients to a small bowl and stir to ensure everything is coated with melted butter; set aside.
- Pat dry scallops with a paper towel - both sides, ensuring no moisture remains.
- Heat a non-stick, oven-proof pan to high. When very hot, add the butter, then immediately place each scallop in the pan. Reduce heat to medium/high, then leave it alone for about 2 minutes! Check to see that the bottom has a nice brown sear, and flip carefully with tongs.
- Once you flip, top each scallop with a pinch of the Panko mixture - enough to make a little mound. Sprinkle each with a little olive oil (or use a tiny dab of butter).
- Place the pan under the broiler for about 30 seconds (door open) and keep an eye on it to ensure it's not burning. You just want to get some crispiness and browning of the topping.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and serve immediately.
Watch out for those pine nuts. If they are from the Orient chances are they will give you “pine nut syndrome”.. No kidding, look it up. I got it from eating Chinese pine nuts and everything tasted bitter for weeks!
Thanks for the tip!
You have outdone yourself on this great recipe and quick prep/cook time. Thank you! Love the photos and that you mention fresh herbs. So easy for us to have small herb gardens to provide fresh herbs. Makes such a difference!
Thanks so much, Kathy – I’m glad you like this one. Fresh herbs are the best, and tarragon is one of my favorites 🙂
Really enjoyed this post. Do you remember the Easter we had scallops instead of ham? Bought two pounds . I have to admit, your dish looks better. Love scallops!!
I remember we had scallops coming out of our ears! But they were delicious 🙂
This looks delicious Nicole! I’m wondering if Libby had a bite or two? Good post!
Thanks Jill. No scallops for Libby! But she did get a tasty, homemade dog treat 🙂
I could write a very long list of words that my husband and I do not agree on, and scallop is definitely on there. They’re skal-ups, of course.
I cannot get over Libby. She is just the cutest little thing!
My husband is from Chicago; I’m from Boston. It’s inevitable that we’re going to have a few discrepancies with our vocabulary 🙂 I’ll pass along your compliments to Libby — she’s looking forward to taking more blog pics!