. Brine scallops in salt water.
. Dry scallops with paper towels.
. Heat a large pan with olive oil.
. Sear scallops for 3 minutes.
. Flip and baste with butter.
. Remove scallops and saute garlic.
. Add lemon juice and zest.
. Turn off heat, whisk in mustard and cream.
. Garnish with dill and pepper.
Why do you brine scallops before cooking?
Brining scallops in a salt solution helps to more deeply season them inside, not just on the surface while retaining moisture. They are very lean in protein with little fat. Without the insulation, there’s a greater chance for them to become rubbery and dry. The saltwater adds a little extra insurance, and only take 10 minutes.
How do you get a golden color on the scallops?
To achieve the attractive caramel kissed surface, the scallops must be as dry as possible. Use plenty of paper towels to soak up the moisture after brining. This ensures the scallops will brown instead of steam when they hit the hot pan. Further drying them uncovered in the refrigerator can also help remove extra moisture.
I found that stainless steel or cast iron gives a nice deep color, however, nonstick pans work well too but should not be used over high heat. Basting the scallops in the final minutes of cooking with butter adds a little extra boost of vibrancy. The milk proteins and lactose in the butter brown which sticks to the outside for an irresistible crust.
Purchasing wet vs. dry
Wet scallops are soaked in additives called sodium tripolyphosphate to help extend shelf life, keep them whiter in color, and they soak up more moisture. Dry scallops have no chemicals added, just shipped on ice, and I prefer to use them. They have a pinkish or ivory hue, feel stickier, and smell like the sea.
The downside to wet scallops
