Seared Scallops Primavera
The seared scallops are combined with a fresh vegetables and linguine pasta. This is a lovely recipe to herald the first of the spring vegetables, asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 Lb or 450 gm fresh linguine pasta
- 16 - 18 sea scallops - allow 4 or 5 per person
- Seafood seasoning to taste - I prefer Chef Paul Prudhommes Seafood Magic seasoning
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water and 2 tbsp white wine - or just use 4 tbsp water
Primavera Sauce
- 6 Strips bacon - cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 large onion - diced
- 3 Cloves garlic - minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium zucchini - sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 12 medium sized cremini mushrooms - sliced
- 8 Spears asparagus - snapped at tender spot and then cut into 1 1/2 inch long pieces
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add 2 tbsp of olive oil to a large frying pan. Cook the bacon just until it starts to crisp and then add the garlic and onion. Continue to cook until the onion is softened and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the zucchini, mushrooms and asparagus and stir fry for a couple of minutes until crisp tender. Remove the vegetable mixture to a side plate.
- While the vegetables are cooking put a pot of salted water on to boil.
- In the same frying pan that the vegetables have been cooking, add the 2 tbsp of olive oil and the butter and turn the burn on high. Season the scallops.
- Add the fresh noodles to the boiling salted water and set the timer for about 5 minutes (for the fresh noodles). Sear the scallops in the oil/butter, about 2 minutes per side. Turn the heat down, add the vegetable mixture to the scallops and add about 1/2 cup of the pasta water to the mixture.
- Test the noodles (they should be cooked through, but not soggy). Drain into a colander and rinse with a bit of fresh water.
- Add enough cornstarch/water/wine mixture to the scallops to just thicken the sauce nicely. If it becomes too thick, just add a little more water. Test seasoning and adjust if necessary. You may wish to garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and/or fresh chopped basil.
