Sea Scallops with Tomato Ginger Vinaigrette

I found this quick and easy recipe in Cuisine at Home magazine. I have made a few minor changes to the original from my experiences when making it. I would also make a few changes next time I prepare this meal.

For example, you should up the amounts of spices called for if you like your food more on the spicy side. As good as the scallops were, they were a little bland, and I would add more curry powder and some other spices.

By definition, a "vinaigrette," one of the five "mother sauces," is a combination of oil and vinegar. This recipe is a vinaigrette, but because of the added tomatoes, it may not look like your typical dressing.

See my basic Mustard Vinaigrette recipe.

What I like about this sauce is you can use it with chicken or fish and shrimp or scallops. It is quick to make at home in a blender or food processor but be sure to mince the lemon zest well, or you will taste bits of it in the sauce. I didn't mince it fine enough; it was my only complaint about the dish.

📖 Recipe

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Sea Scallops with Tomato Ginger Vinaigrette

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time6 minutes mins

Total Time36 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: scallops

Servings: 3 - 4 servings

Ingredients

• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• juice ½ lemon without the pits please
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound sea scallops about 12 big ones
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 shallot minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced or grated finely
• 12 oz grape tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 lemon zested
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped finely.

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Whisk together the yogurt, sugar, curry powder, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, and a little salt & pepper in a small bowl.
• Add the scallops, toss with your hands to coat, and let them sit for about 15 minutes.
• While the scallops are marinating, heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and when hot but not smoking, add the shallots and fresh ginger.

  Sauté until the shallot is translucent, but don't let it burn. Depending on your stove and pan, this should take about 3-4 minutes.
• The recipe calls for preparing the next step in a food processor, but I used a blender only because it was already out on the counter.

  If you use a food processor, start with the lemon zest to ensure it is minced well.

  If using a blender, mince the zest as fine as possible.
• Next, add the tomatoes, vinegar and honey. Pulse the blender or processor to chop up & puree the tomato mixture.

  With the machine running low, slowly pour in the warm shallot-ginger oil you prepared above. You now have a tomato-ginger vinaigrette.
• Transfer this mixture to another bowl and add the parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings for salt and/or pepper.

  Let this stand at room temperature until ready to plate the scallops. It's now time to cook the scallops.
• Grill the scallops for about 2-3 minutes, flip and cook for another 3 -5 minutes on the other side.

  The timing depends on how hot your grill so there is no way to give an exact number of minutes. Just be careful not to overcook them, or they will turn out rubbery.
• When serving, spoon some of the vinaigrette mixture onto plates, top with scallops, and serve with some of your favorite side dishes.

Notes

The recipe calls for grilling the scallops, which I did but you could just as easily sauté them in a little olive oil. Unless you have a gas grill, I can't see making a fire for just 12 scallops. If you do start a charcoal, be sure to grill up some vegetables or something else for tomorrow night's dinner.

 

Some of My Favorite Seafood Recipes