Preparing Scallops: All You Need to Know

To many of you, scallops are a luxury that are only enjoyed in the confines of a fancy restaurant. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, they are one of the easiest seafood items to prepare and the reward for cooking them is a moreish dish that is like no other. 

If you aren’t already cooking scallops at home, then it’s time that you start, because they are a ‘fast food’ that is both healthy and delicious. And the best thing is that they only take about 10 minutes to cook. 

What are Scallops? 

For the uninformed amongst you, scallops are a shellfish that are renowned for their edible and delicious adductor muscle. When cooked, they provide the perfect mix of salty and sweet and go with a range of dishes, as well as being scrumptious just with a squeeze of lemon. 

How To Remove Scallops from The Shell? 

Did you know that ‘shucking’ is the name of the process of removing the meat from the scallop shell. This isn’t an overly difficult task either. Here’s a quick guide. 

1. Ideally, use a vegetable knife for this process. The first step is to put the knife into the hinge of the shell and twist until it pops open. 
2. Then, simply run the knife on the inside of the shell to separate the meat. 
3. The next step is to run the knife around the meat, removing excess material. You want to be just left with the nice white meat. 
4. Rinse the meat under cold water and then it will be ready to cook. 

How to Prepare Scallops for Cooking

As said previously, there is a little bit of prep required before you cook your scallops. Ensure that any excess side muscle is removed, and the oblong flap of tissue is removed. 

That all important rinse will also ensure you are getting a quality ingredient. 

Cooking Methods for Scallops 

Seared Scallops

One of the most popular ways to cook scallops is to sear them. This offers a lovely crusty exterior, which pairs beautifully with the soft delicate interior. 

Hear are the steps… 

• Pat the scallops dry and season. A little salt and pepper usually does the trick here. 
• Heat your pan on high and add a little olive oil and butter. 
• Put the scallops in for two minutes per side. 
• Enjoy! Seared scallops go well in an abundance of different dishes, so don’t be afraid to experiment with exotic flavours likes of pineapple, papaya and mango. They are also the ideal accompaniment to pasta dishes. 

Baked Scallops 

It couldn’t be more easy to bake scallops. That is why this is probably the most popular way to cook the dish. 

• Repeat step one from above. 
• Add a little breadcrumbs to olive oil and coat the scallops. 
• Place in the oven for around 14 minutes, turning halfway through. 

Grilled Scallops 

If you are looking for the perfect taste of the summer, then grilled scallops are the answer. Once again, they took much to time to cook either. As we said, scallops are not only a delicious option, they are also a fast food. 

Here’s how you do them… 

• Don’t forget to pat those scallops dry. 
• Season to your taste, then place the scallops on a skewer. 
• Put them on the grill for about six minutes, turning occasionally. 
• Enjoy!

That’s it!

Now you know how to prepare scallops and use three of the basic cooking techniques to make them shine.