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  1. Orange Soy Glazed Scallops

Orange Soy Glazed Scallops

We're pleased to present this recipe by Syrie Wongkaew, About.com's guide to Australian & New Zealand Food, freelance graphic designer and food photographer/stylist.

We found Syrie through her great blog, Taste Buddies. Here's how Syrie introduced this recipe on her blog: "The trick to cooking scallops is to have the fry-pan smoking hot. What I mean by this is that it should be giving off a tiny bit of smoke just before burning point. I usually use vegetable, canola or sunflower oil for these high temperatures. The pan should be lightly oiled and the oil itself should be swirling. Scallops only require very little time in the pan. Medium-sized scallops such as the ones pictured were cooked for 80 seconds: 40 seconds on each side and—this is important—turned only once. The high heat of the pan sears the outside of the scallop which helps to seal in the juices making the flesh firm yet tender. The glaze is a combination of caramelized sugar, orange juice and zest and soy sauce. If you've never caramelized sugar before, then be warned, it requires a little patience and constant attention. The result is worth it though and it only takes about 15 minutes. This particular glaze is also excellent with chicken, oily fish such as salmon and halibut or pork."

Orange Soy Glazed Scallops

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 10 Vital Choice Alaskan Weathervane scallops
  • 1 tablespoon Vital Choice organic extra virgin olive
  • Juice and zest from 1/2 orange
  • 1 teaspoon orange juice concentrate
  • 1/3 cup raw organic sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • Green onions for garnish
  • Sea salt

Instructions

  1. Run the scallops under cool water and pat dry with a paper towel. Season with a little sea salt.
  2. Zest the orange and then finely chop the zest. Squeeze the juice and remove the seeds.
  3. Combine the zest, concentrate and fresh juice with soy sauce and rice vinegar. Set aside.
  4. In a small, heavy-based pot, stir the water and sugar together. Bring to a boil and continue to cook until the sugar caramelizes. You will have to gradually turn the heat down as you cook. This process will take about 15 minutes.
  5. Every 3 minutes or so, dip a pastry brush in cool water and brush the insides of the pot. This helps to stop the sugar from hardening up the sides.
  6. Cook the mixture until just before burning point. You will see a little smoke. Remove pot from heat immediately. Place a sieve over the pot and pour the red wine into the caramel. Let it cool and add the zest, concentrate, fresh juice, soy sauce and vinegar. Stir to combine and then set aside.
  7. Heat the oil in a fry-pan over a medium-high heat until the oil starts to swirl and smoke very slightly. The pan has to be really hot to sear the scallops.
  8. Add the scallops and fry for 40 seconds on each side just once. Don't turn them multiple times.
  9. Place the scallops on a serving plate and then spoon on the orange soy sauce. Garnish with thin slivers of green onion.
Serves: Serves 3-4