Scallops Piccata

In case you’re unfamiliar with Piccata Sauce, let me break it down for you. After you panfry a yummy, lean protein in butter you deglaze the pan with stock (I go with chicken stock) and fresh lemon juice and THEN you throw in delicious, salty, briny capers. This creates an intense pan sauce in literally under a minute. You pour the pan sauce over the protein; enter scallops.   Then serve your delicious Piccata dish; I served this with my Tuscan Summer Pasta.

Originally posted on 15 July, 2016!

A recipe for panfried scallops that are then coated in a sauce with lemon juice, butter and briny capers 🙂

This is what you’ll need

1 tbsp (salted) butter

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Salt

Pepper

20 Medium scallops (cleaned and patted dry)

The juice of half a lemon

¼ cup sodium-reduced stock (I used chicken)

1 tbsp capers

This is how you make it

A cast-iron skillet is ideal here but any pan will work really.  Preheat your pan over medium-high heat and add in the butter and oil.   When the fat has melted add the scallops and season lightly.

Flip the scallops after 3 minutes (sooner if they’re getting too dark), and again lightly season.

Cook on the second side for 1 minute (still at medium-high heat).

Transfer the scallops to a serving platter.

Return the pan to the same heat and add in the lemon juice and stock, gently scrape the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula to  release  any flavours that may be there (deglazing).

After the sauce has reduced by half (after about 30 seconds to a minute), turn the heat off the pan and add in the capers.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Pour the sauce over the scallops on the serving platter.

Serve immediately.

Notes:

1. Go with whatever stock you have on hand.
2. You can tell the scallop is cooked when the middle is opaque and is slightly warm.

Might I suggest

A fresh salad with my Red Wine Shallot Vinaigrette with Honey

as a side 🙂

Other recipes you might like:

Soy and Sesame Glazed Scallops

Butter and Garlic Baked Scallops

Scandinavian Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Recipe card below⬇️⬇️⬇️

Scallops Piccata

In case you’re unfamiliar with Piccata Sauce, let me break it down for you. After you panfry a yummy, lean protein in butter you deglaze the pan with stock (I go with chicken stock) and fresh lemon juice and THEN you throw in delicious, salty, briny capers. This creates an intense pan sauce in literally under a minute. You pour the pan sauce over the protein; enter scallops. Then serve your delicious Piccata dish; I served this with my Tuscan Summer Pasta.

Servings 4

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp (salted) butter
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• 20 medium scallops (cleaned and patted dry)
• the juice of half a lemon
• 1/4 cup sodium-reduced stock (I used chicken)
• 1 tbsp capers

Instructions

1. A cast-iron skillet is ideal here but any pan will work really. Preheat your pan over medium-high heat and add in the butter and oil. When the fat has melted add the scallops and season lightly.
2. Flip the scallops after 3 minutes (sooner if they’re getting too dark), and again lightly season.
3. Cook on the second side for 1 minute (still at medium-high heat).
4. Transfer the scallops to a serving platter.
5. Return the pan to the same heat and add in the lemon juice and stock, gently scrape the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula to release any flavours that may be there (deglazing).
6. After the sauce has reduced by half (after about 30 seconds to a minute), turn the heat off the pan and add in the capers.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning.
8. Pour the sauce over the scallops on the serving platter.
9. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

1. Go with whatever stock you have on hand.
2. You can tell the scallop is cooked when the middle is opaque and is slightly warm.