When it comes to elegant seafood, scallops are always on the list. Scallops are one of the most versatile shellfishes in the market since they are low in calories and even in fat.
You can bake them, sear them, and of course grill them. However, we sometimes feel a little intimidated to cook them. That is why we often get them in restaurants rather than cooking with them in our kitchen.
What you may not know is that they are actually very quick and easy to cook. One of the best ways to cook them is by putting them on the grill. If you want to know how to grill scallops in shell quickly and easily, then just keep on reading.
Scallops Buying Guide
Before you go to your local seafood market to get some scallops, you might want to get to know them first. There are actually two available scallops in the market. The first one is the bay scallops which are smaller and they are found in bays and estuaries.
The second one is the sea scallops which are of course larger since they are meatier and can be found in cold oceanic regions. They both come in different sizes so it is up to you how big you want your scallops to be.
I recommend that you get fresh scallops over the frozen ones. You can get fresh scallops for a higher price but they are absolutely worth it.
One way you can tell that the scallops are indeed fresh is that if they smell kind of sweet and clean. If they have a strong fishy smell that seems off, then that is a big no.
Frozen scallops are not that bad but they can get milky if not properly stored or thawed properly. Fresh scallops, on the other hand, are perishable so it is best to buy some the same day you are cooking them.
How To Grill Scallops In Shell
There are so many ways to cook scallops but in this particular one, you will learn how to properly grill them while in the shell. They are absolutely quick and easy to grill so let’s get started.
Note – I recommend to store your scallops in ice so you can open them easily. If they are stored in a warm place, they could get bad and impossible to open perfectly.
What You Will Need
- 1 pound fresh scallops
- 4 tablespoon of white wine
- 4 tablespoon of unsalted butter in room temperature
- 2 tablespoon of chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon of chili flakes (optional)
- 1 clove of chopped garlic
- 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
What You Need To Do
Before you get on to grilling, you must first make sure that your scallops are clean. You can have them cleaned at the market or you could do it yourself. If you have them ready to cook then simply skip this cleaning process.
Cleaning The Scallops
Step 1 – Open The Shell
Hold the shell with the hinge pointed away from you. You can use an oyster knife just your ordinary small knife to open it. Make sure to not insert the knife way too deep or you will ruin the scallop meat itself.
Just wiggle the shell slowly with your knife until it opens. Having it cold makes the shell easy to open.
Step 2 – Clean The Scallops
The next step would be removing the scallop from the shell. There will most likely be some dark spots so run the scallop under cold water. The cold water will help wash away all the sand that is attached to the scallop.
Do this for about 30 seconds or until you can no longer see and feel some grit. If you do not wash the scallops thoroughly, you will be able to taste and feel the grits in your mouth while eating them. Once they are clean, pat them dry and put it back to the one side of the shell and you are ready to grill.
Grilling The Scallops
Step 1 – Preheat The Grill
The very first step is always to preheat the grill so that it is ready to be used and the timing of your cooking will be perfect.
Step 2 – Mix Everything
Get a small bowl and mix together the chopped garlic, parsley, and chili before adding salt and pepper to taste.
The heat must depend on you so if you like it hot then you can always add more chili to the mix. Once they are all mixed, set them aside.
Step 3 – Season The Scallops
Next, take the scallop in your palm and sprinkle salt and pepper evenly all over it. Once they are ready, put them back to their shell.
One of the best ways to make sure that your scallops will not get easily overcook is that you must only season them right before cooking them.
Step 4 – Get The Scallops Ready For Grilling
Take your bowl with the mixture and drizzle some all over the scallops in shell evenly. About half a teaspoon each, but if they are bigger, make sure the entire scallop is coated.
You also need to drizzle a teaspoon of white wine of the scallops before putting them on the grill.
Step 5 – Grill Then Serve
Finally, pop the scallops in the shell on to the grill. Make sure not to poke the scallops through so that they can get cooked perfectly. One way to tell if they are done is if they are already firm.
Once you felt that they are, get them off the grill right away to avoid overcooking them, then squeeze lemon all over them.
And there you have it, in just less than 10 minutes of cooking time you have the perfectly delicious grilled scallops in shell. It is absolutely quick and easy to make so it is ideal for busy buddies who are tired of cooking other seafood dishes.
You no longer have to go to the restaurant just to have them. Impress your friends and family with this amazing yet quick and easy dish. Let us know how yours turn out in the comments below.
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