scallops

With a seared exterior and soft, tender interior, scallops have a mild flavor that complement a rich, buttery wine sauce. There are a few insider tricks to ensuring that scallops come out crispy on the outside yet tender on the inside. First, preheat the skillet, so it is nice and hot before adding the scallops. This speeds up the cooking time to create a sear rather than simply steaming the scallops.

Second, be sure to add salt and pepper the scallops only just before throwing them in the pan. Salt draws out the moisture, but the scallops will steam if salted and left out for too long. And last — but not least — as soon as the scallops hit the pan, do not touch them or move them around with tongs. When you're finished cooking the scallops, don't overlook the fond (crispy pieces stuck to the bottom of the pan). That's concentrated flavor right there, so don't throw it all away! Instead, I recommend deglazing the pan with wine to make a speedy sauce. In addition to boosting the flavor of sauces, deglazing a pan also reduces cleaning time. So stop furiously scrubbing your pans at the end of the night, and start deglazing!

This particular scallop recipe goes with just about any starch. Stir in whatever leftover herbs you have, spoon over extra sauce, and let the starch soak up the gloriously buttery, herby flavors. See the scallop recipe here.

As much as I love chili and a simple meatloaf, they often become an all-too-regular part of my weeknight meal rotation. The best cure for a rut, I've discovered, is to stray for a moment from the usual suspects (chicken, beef, tofu) and opt for something less habitual.

The last time I did this, I sat down to a light but piquant plate of briny scallops tossed together with angel hair pasta and a chipotle-and-garlic-inflected Chilean pil-pil sauce.

To keep the dinner from being price-prohibitive, I subbed bay scallops instead of sea scallops, but the latter would be a nice splurge. The whole dish is extremely quick-cooking; prepare to sit down within the half hour! For the recipe, read ahead.

I love paella but always thought it was a complicated dish to make at home. Recently a friend gave me a paella pan to prove how uncomplicated it is to put together. After my first attempt, I stand corrected: this dish is simple and can be easily made in a large saute pan. Once most of the ingredients are prepped, the scallop paella takes about an hour from start to finish.

The recipe calls for sea scallops, but a cheaper protein like shrimp or mussels would be just as tasty. The paella is perfect, with the essential crunchy crust along the bottom and moist almost-creamy rice on top. I fretted about overcooking the scallops, since they are such a delicate protein, but they were moist and full of flavor, thanks to the green chiles and roasted bell peppers.

If you want to celebrate Spring with a Spanish feast, keep reading for the succulent recipe.

Looking to find a speedy and convenient meal that's also gourmet? Then turn to quick-cooking scallops left over from last night's meal. Use wheat-free tamari (a type of soy sauce), honey, and red pepper flakes to create an irresistible, fragrant glaze. Serve it in a large bowl heaped with brown rice and sautéed greens for a nouveau Asian rice bowl. Want the recipe? Then be sure to keep on reading.

For tonight's dinner, Mr. Yum has politely requested scallops, a shellfish option that often gets overlooked in favor of shrimp or fish. Since I haven't had much of a chance to grill shellfish this Summer, I'm throwing it on the barbecue to get a little practice.

Leaving scallops on heat for too long makes them shriveled and rubbery, so watch them closely, as they also cook rapidly. Serve them atop a bed of cilantro-specked white beans, with grilled scallions and zucchini on the side. Want the healthy recipe? Just read more.

The next time you need dinner in a hurry, think about what ingredients cook fast. Couscous comes together in minutes, as does simple seared fish. Once you've picked up two rapid elements, toss in a seasonal vegetable, citrus juice for freshness, and call it a day.

This recipe illustrates this technique perfectly by combining couscous with seared scallops, snow peas, and oranges. It's a healthy and effortless meal that's far from boring. Serve with a crisp white wine and fresh berries for dessert. To learn how it's done, check out the recipe now.

This weekend, the weather in San Francisco was glorious, and I couldn't help but realize that Summer is just around the corner! The arrival of bikini season will be here before we know it, and there's no time like the present to start eating healthful and light meals in smaller portions. This scallop and snap pea stir-fry is an ideal figure-friendly dinner. Thanks to fresh lime juice, grated ginger, garlic-chili sauce, and tons of cilantro, it's super flavorful and therefore, totally filling. For a complete meal, serve this seasonal dish with a side of sautéed mushrooms. If scallops aren't your thing, consider using shrimp, tofu, or chunks of chicken instead. Get the uncomplicated recipe when you read more

Hoping to steer clear of a hectic Monday night? Consider putting together a seafood stew that makes use of leftover scallops and doesn't require too much attention.

This recipe calls for white fish, scallops, and shrimp, all of which can be purchased frozen and defrosted beforehand — a great way to enjoy the bounty of the sea on a shoestring budget.

Since all the ingredients cook quickly, dinner will be ready in less than half an hour. Make this tonight when you get the recipe.

After a weekend of too much ham and lamb, pass on the meat and opt for some succulent shellfish. Scallops are truly a cinch to make — especially if you follow a few easy guidelines.

This Mediterranean feast, with its cauliflower, capers, spinach, and dried cherries, may sound like an unusual combination, but the result is an irresistible explosion of tart, sweet, salty, and sour flavors all at once. For the recipe, read more.