How To Make One Scallops with Caramelized Sauce: The Best Dish You Will Ever Eat
Scallops are a tasty, sweet and savory dish that will leave you yearning for more. This is a simple yet delicious recipe you can make at home in no time!
What are Scallops
Scallops are a type of shellfish, which means they’re marine animals with a bivalve shell that can be made into pearls. They usually come from the North Atlantic or the North Pacific oceans and live on or near the sea floor.
Scallops have been eaten for at least 4,000 years; ancient Greeks were said to have considered them an aphrodisiac. They’ve also been used as currency, thanks to their high value compared to other seafood in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today they remain popular worldwide: you’ll find them on menus in restaurants around the world, served raw and cooked, in soups and salads, or even on pizza!
And while scallops may not be as famous as some other seafood dishes like lobster rolls or crab cakes (or noodles), there’s no need for you to miss out if you’re looking for something special without breaking your budget! In fact studies show consuming moderate amounts of scallops will actually help reduce cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels—so there’s really no reason not to enjoy them regularly!
How to make Caramelized Sauce
To make the caramelized sauce, you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter
- 3/4 cup sliced onions
- 2 cloves minced garlic
Heat oil in a large non-stick pan on medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and sautee for another minute. Deglaze with wine (1/2 cup) and reduce by half before adding cream (1/2 cup). Reduce again by half and then add scallops back into pan to reheat for about a minute before serving over pasta or rice (optional).
Ingredients of Scallops
- 1 pound sea scallops, rinsed and patted dry
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup minced shallots
- 1/2 cup white wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
Methods/Instructions
To make the sauce, add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon as you go. Add any accumulated juices from your scallops and simmer for another 1 minute before adding the heavy cream. Cook until thickened slightly, then add salt to taste and remove from heat.
To serve, place 4 scallops on each plate with some sauteed garlic next to them if desired (or use whatever garnish or side dish you like). Drizzle over some of your warm caramelized sauce and serve immediately!
Special Note
The ingredients you use in this recipe are important. Use a good quality sea salt, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Use a good quality butter as well!
Add-ins and Variations
This recipe is a great jumping off point for experimenting with add-ins, sauces, and spices. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- You can use different types of mushrooms or onions instead of the ones called for here.
- You can also use peppers in place of one or both kinds of onion (yellow or red).
- Try replacing the balsamic vinegar with another type of vinegar or sauce like teriyaki sauce or liquid aminos.
- Feel free to swap out any kind of meat for the chicken breast if you prefer something else—chicken thighs are especially delicious!
For additional seasoning ideas, see our list below:
1/8 teaspoon salt
Salt is a seasoning that enhances the flavors of food. It’s also a mineral that helps to regulate body fluids, and it acts as a preservative for foods by preventing them from spoiling.
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
This recipe calls for freshly ground black pepper. It seems like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference in the flavor of the dish! If you don’t have a pepper mill yet, I highly recommend buying one. They’re fairly inexpensive and they’ll last forever. You don’t even need to buy them at an expensive kitchen store either.
Scallops are a great choice for those who are looking for an alternative to meat or fish, but don’t want to give up on the flavor of their favorite dishes. Plus, they’re extremely easy to make and can be paired with just about anything! We hope you enjoyed our recipe for caramelized sauce scallops with asparagus – let us know if you make it at home or try another variation on this dish in the comments below!
