Scallops

Paleo Pairing: Seared Scallops & Sancerre

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Day 3 on Paleo and I already feel my energy levels exploding.  I am keeping it simple this Friday with a nice plate of seared sea scallops with a side of roasted asparagus.  My perfect Paleo Pairing for this is a Sancerre from the Loire Valley of France.  Sancerre is a region within the Loire and the wines are made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape.  These wines are dry, bright and acidic with lots of minerality and notes of citrus and fresh cut grass. I recently had the Domaine Vincent Delaporte Sancerre and it was a terrific pairing with asparagus soup. Christian Salmon is also another solid producer of Sancerre that’s available at many wine shops.

Seared Scallops & Roasted Asparagus

INGREDIENTS

Scallops
Asparagus
3 tbsp Olive Oil
Sea salt & pepper
Herbs de Provence
Garlic Powder

DIRECTIONS

For the roasted asparagus, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut about a quarter an inch off the ends of the asparagus. Toss asparagus in one tbsp. of olive oil, sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and Herbs de Provence. Roast for 12-15 minutes for thick asparagus.

Pat dry scallops, the drier they are the better the sear.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder & Herbs de Provcnce. Pre-heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, then add olive oil and sear the scallops for about 2 – 2  1/2  minutes per side until a nice golden crust forms. The scallops should be translucent in the center. Serve immediately. Delicious and simple!

Seafood Risotto & Chardonnay

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Nothing says comfort like a great dish of seafood risotto. To add brightness to the dish, add Meyer lemon juice, lemon zest and white wine. Top it off with scrumptious shrimp and seared scallops and pair it with a Cakebread Chardonnay for pure perfection.  Each sip was filled with luscious apple, melon, citrus fruit and a touch of minerality. The refreshing acidity washed away the creamy finish of the risotto, leaving your palate ready for another bite and the full-bodied Chardonnay mirrored  the weight of the decadent and succulent sea scallops.

Recommended Producers

 

Recipe: Meyer Lemon Risotto w/Roasted Shrimp & Seared Sea Scallops (Serves 4)

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, fine dice
1 cup Arborio rice
2 ½ – 3 cups homemade shrimp & lobster stock  (see recipe) or low sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock can be used as a substitute
¾ cup dry white wine (I prefer Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
2 Meyer lemons (zest & juice)
1 cup shredded Parmigianno Reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon pepper
Salt to taste (keep in mind there is salt in the stock & cheese)

Risotto
In a small saucepan warm 3 cups of stock (simmer on low)Scallop Risotto Paired w/Cakebread Chardonnay
In a large saucepan sauté onion in olive oil for 5-7 minutes over medium-low heat until translucent. Add Arborio rice and mix with onions until rice is well coated and slightly toasted 2-3 minutes
Add white wine and let evaporate
Once white wine evaporates, slowly add the stock ½ cup at a time stirring frequently
Continue adding the stock ½ cup at a time until risotto reaches desired consistency, above 25-30 minutes for al dente
At this point add cheese and butter, mix well
Fold in chopped parsley, lemon zest & juice
Divide between four plates and top with 2 scallops & 3 shrimp
Garnish w/parsley & lemon wheel

 

Roasted Shrimp
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Shell & devain 1 dozen large shrimp, leave the tails on for presentation (Timesaver: Ask your fish monger to do this for you)
Toss with olive oil, a pinch of salt & pepper
Roast for 6-8 minutes

Seared Sea Scallops
Pre-heat sauté pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Pat dry 8 medium-large sea scallops
Brush w/olive oil and a pinch of salt & pepper
Sear for 3 minutes per side until nicely golden on each side

 

Shrimp & Lobster Stock
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, lobster and shrimp shells to a large stock pot over medium heat
Saute shells for 3-5 minutes until they become bright pink and aromatic
Add 1  medium yellow onion, 3 celery stalks, 1 carrot (all large dice), 4 cloves of smashed garlic, 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of Old Bay, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, handful of peppercorns and cover with 2 quarts of water
Let simmer over low heat for 45 minutes
Strain with fine mesh strainer into smaller sauce pan
Freeze the rest of the stock for up to 3 months

Seafood Risotto & Chardonnay

by

Scallop Risotto & Cakebread ChardonnayNothing says comfort like a great dish of seafood risotto. To add brightness to the dish, add Meyer lemon juice, lemon zest and white wine. Top it off with scrumptious shrimp and seared scallops and pair it with a Cakebread Chardonnay for pure perfection.  Each sip was filled with luscious apple, melon, citrus fruit and a touch of minerality. The refreshing acidity washed away the creamy finish of the risotto, leaving your palate ready for another bite and the full-bodied Chardonnay mirrored  the weight of the decadent and succulent sea scallops.

Recommended Producers

 

Recipe: Meyer Lemon Risotto w/Roasted Shrimp & Seared Sea Scallops (Serves 4)

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, fine dice
1 cup Arborio rice
2 ½ – 3 cups homemade shrimp & lobster stock  (see recipe) or low sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock can be used as a substitute
¾ cup dry white wine (I prefer Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
2 Meyer lemons (zest & juice)
1 cup shredded Parmigianno Reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon pepper
Salt to taste (keep in mind there is salt in the stock & cheese)

Risotto
In a small saucepan warm 3 cups of stock (simmer on low)Scallop Risotto Paired w/Cakebread Chardonnay
In a large saucepan sauté onion in olive oil for 5-7 minutes over medium-low heat until translucent. Add Arborio rice and mix with onions until rice is well coated and slightly toasted 2-3 minutes
Add white wine and let evaporate
Once white wine evaporates, slowly add the stock ½ cup at a time stirring frequently
Continue adding the stock ½ cup at a time until risotto reaches desired consistency, above 25-30 minutes for al dente
At this point add cheese and butter, mix well
Fold in chopped parsley, lemon zest & juice
Divide between four plates and top with 2 scallops & 3 shrimp
Garnish w/parsley & lemon wheel

 

Roasted Shrimp
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Shell & devain 1 dozen large shrimp, leave the tails on for presentation (Timesaver: Ask your fish monger to do this for you)
Toss with olive oil, a pinch of salt & pepper
Roast for 6-8 minutes

Seared Sea Scallops
Pre-heat sauté pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Pat dry 8 medium-large sea scallops
Brush w/olive oil and a pinch of salt & pepper
Sear for 3 minutes per side until nicely golden on each side

 

Shrimp & Lobster Stock
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, lobster and shrimp shells to a large stock pot over medium heat
Saute shells for 3-5 minutes until they become bright pink and aromatic
Add 1  medium yellow onion, 3 celery stalks, 1 carrot (all large dice), 4 cloves of smashed garlic, 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of Old Bay, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, handful of peppercorns and cover with 2 quarts of water
Let simmer over low heat for 45 minutes
Strain with fine mesh strainer into smaller sauce pan
Freeze the rest of the stock for up to 3 months