Description
Dive into the pure elegance of ocean-fresh scallops with this simple yet sophisticated raw preparation. This recipe celebrates the natural sweetness and buttery texture of carefully selected sea scallops that need just a few complementary ingredients.
This scallop crudo takes only 10 minutes to prepare. A light, refreshing marinade brings out the scallops’ natural sweetness without overwhelming their delicate flavor. The dish serves perfectly as an elegant appetizer or a light first course that lets quality fresh scallops shine through.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340g) fresh dry-packed sea scallops.
- Extra-virgin olive oil.
- Fresh lemon juice.
- Flaky sea salt.
- Red pepper flakes (Aleppo or Espelette preferred).
- Fresh herbs (chives or basil).
- Optional: lime and orange for citrus variety.
Instructions
- Prepare the scallops: Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Remove the small side muscle (foot) from each scallop.
- Slice the scallops: Use a sharp knife to cut each scallop horizontally into 3-4 thin slices (about 1/4-inch thick).
- Arrange: Place the sliced scallops on chilled serving plates in an overlapping pattern.
- Season: Drizzle with high-quality olive oil and a light squeeze of lemon juice. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with your choice of herbs and a light dusting of red pepper flakes.
Notes
– Quality matters: Use only fresh, “dry” scallops that haven’t been treated with preservatives.
– Temperature: Scallops should stay cold until serving for the best taste and texture.
– Timing: Consume within two hours of preparation.
– Variations: You can experiment with different citrus combinations or add thin cucumber slices as a base.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Raw