Seared Diver Scallops with Root Vegetable Mash

User Reviews

4.7

30 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    45 mins

  • Cook Time

    45 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 30 mins

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    339 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Seared Diver Scallops with Root Vegetable Mash

Perfect for a special occasion, the root vegetable mash and herb sauce compliment the seafood in this dish.  Use fresh diver scallops to get a good sear.  

I Made This!

Be the first!

Save this

Be the first!

Ingredients

Servings

FOR ROOT VEGETABLE MASH:

  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound parsnips peeled and cut into 1/2" chunks
  • 1 rutabaga peeled to remove wax and cut into 1/2" chunks
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup vegetable stock
  • 6 tablespoons buttermilk well shaken, plus more if needed

FOR GREEN HERB SAUCE:

  • 1 cup Italian parsley leaves packed
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves packed
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup olive oil

FOR SEARED DIVER SCALLOPS:

  • 1 pound fresh "dry scallops" preferably U10-15 (aka Diver Scallops)
  • sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

FOR THE ROOT VEGETABLE MASH:

  1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. With a sharp knife cut the top 1/2" off the flowering end of the garlic (not the root). Place the garlic in a square of tin foil. Drizzle the olive oil over the exposed cloves and seal the tin foil around the head of garlic. Bake for 25 minutes until soft. Set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, fill a large pot halfway with cool water. Transfer the rutabaga to the pot. Add kosher salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and continue to simmer for 25 minutes. Add the parsnips and cook an additional 12-15 minutes until tender. Drain vegetables and transfer to a food processor. Add the vegetable stock and puree until smooth, scraping the sides occasionally (this may take several minutes). Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves to release the soft interior and add them to the puree. Add 6 tablespoons buttermilk and puree until both garlic and buttermilk are fully incorporated -- add more buttermilk by the tablespoon if the mash appears dry and pulse. Set aside. (Can be made in advance and reheated at the last minute).

FOR THE GREEN HERB SAUCE:

  1. Add the parsley, cilantro, garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper to the blender. Pulse several times to chop the herbs, scraping sides with a spatula. Add the lemon juice, mustard and olive oil and blend until emulsified. Pour into a small bowl or pitcher and set aside. (Can be made in advance. Serve at room temperature.)

FOR SEARED DIVER SCALLOPS:

  1. Heat a dry skillet over medium high heat. Sprinkle scallops lightly with salt and pepper. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil -- it should slick across the surface. If it smokes immediately, remove it from the flame for 20-30 seconds to cool it. Carefully add the scallops 2-3 at a time and cook for 1-2 minutes to sear it. Using tongs, flip the scallops and cook for an additional 45 seconds to a minute. Transfer the scallops to a plate and continue to cook the remaining scallops in the same manner.

TO PLATE:

  1. Place one or two scoops of the mash on the plate. Top with 3 seared scallops and drizzle the herb dressing over the scallops and vegetables. Serve.

Notes

  • Many markets sell diver scallops - but beware.  Ask the purveyor if they are wet or dry scallops? Wet scallops have been soaked in phosphates to preserve them, but the scallops also soak up additional water, making it impossible to get a good sear.Dry scallops are never soaked and will produce a beautiful sear every time. Avoid wet scallops if you can.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 339kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 30mg (10%) Sodium 1919mg (80%) Potassium 1170mg (33%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 460IU (9%) Vitamin C 52.3mg (58%) Calcium 189mg (19%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 339 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 339kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 1919mg 80%
Potassium 1170mg 25%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 460IU 9%
Vitamin C 52.3mg 58%
Calcium 189mg 19%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.7

30 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Scallops – How to Cook Scallops

American
5.0 (12 reviews)

Seared Scallops with Garlic Herb

American
4.8 (18 reviews)

Seared Scallops with Bacon

American
5.0 (12 reviews)

Pan Seared Scallops with Garlic Cream Sauce Pasta

Italian, American, International
0.0 (0 reviews)

Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter

American
5.0 (93 reviews)

Seared Scallops

American
5.0 (1,605 reviews)

Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter

American
5.0 (210 reviews)

Creamy Lemon Garlic Pan Seared Scallops

American
4.8 (84 reviews)

Seared Scallops

American
5.0 (9 reviews)

10 Minute Pan-Seared Butter Scallops

American
4.8 (720 reviews)

Seared Scallops

American
5.0 (12 reviews)

Pan Seared Scallops

American
4.6 (15 reviews)

Seared Scallops with Raspberry Gastrique

American
5.0 (144 reviews)

Pan Seared Scallops

American
4.9 (72 reviews)