I found this recipe somewhere years ago and saved it, pinned to my vision board until last summer. I don’t know what took me so long, but it is now one of my favorites! It’s in a category in my mind called “fancy salads” and shows up often in the summer time. The original recipe recommends putting the scallops on a skewer and grilling them, but I’ve always just pan fried them to get that pretty sear and it’s delicious! I love to serve it at bbqs or crab feasts…
INGREDIENTS
3 teaspoons olive oil, divided, plus more for grill grates
3 ears corn, uncooked & shucked
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced (optional)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
½ teaspoon ground cumin
2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
12 large sea scallops, thawed (1½ lb)*
4 cups mixed salad greens (I like butter crunch for this)
1 ripe avocado, pitted and sliced
Preheat grill or grill pan to high (450°F to 500°F) and lightly oil grates. Grill corn, uncovered, turning occasionally, until corn begins to char, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from grill and let cool slightly. Cut kernels from cobs and discard cobs; transfer kernels to a medium bowl. Add shallot (if using), 5 tablespoons oil, lime juice, cumin, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper; stir to combine.
Pat scallops dry with paper towels. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Sear scallops, uncovered, until golden brown on the bottom – about 4 minutes. Using tongs, gently flip and cook until scallops are just cooked through, about 3 minutes more.
Toss salad greens with corn mixture and avocado. Top with grilled scallops.
* Scallops are difficult to find fresh around here so we buy them frozen. That’s fine, they thaw easily overnight in the fridge and are delicious. But before you buy any bags of scallops, check the ingredients. If it says water or anything besides just scallops, those are not right. Those have water chemically added to them and they may taste good, but they won’t get that gorgeous sear on them. Trader Joe’s has good scallops, I can find them at Safeway and Roth’s as well.
Art Farm Oregon 