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Seared Scallops with Polenta, Bacon, and Poblano Chiles

By Matthew Fairman

Published on October 18, 2018

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Seared Scallops with Polenta, Bacon, and Poblano Chiles

Ingredients

3 cups water ¾ cup instant polenta 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Salt and pepper 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)2 poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped4 slices bacon, chopped fine4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 garlic cloves, minced1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Before You Begin

For the best browning, do not move the scallops once you've added them to the skillet, except to flip.

Instructions

  1. Bring water to boil in large saucepan. Whisk in polenta, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in cheddar. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
  2. Cook poblanos, bacon, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until bacon is rendered and browned and poblanos are softened, about 8 minutes. Add scallion whites, Worcestershire, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to bowl and wipe skillet clean with paper towels.
  3. Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of scallops and cook until well browned, about 1½ minutes per side. Transfer to plate and tent with foil. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and remaining scallops. Serve polenta topped with bacon mixture and scallops and sprinkled with scallion greens.
Seared Scallops with Polenta, Bacon, and Poblano Chiles
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Sally Staub.

Seared Scallops with Polenta, Bacon, and Poblano Chiles

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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 cups water
¾ cup instant polenta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
2 poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
4 slices bacon, chopped fine
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Ingredients

3 cups water
¾ cup instant polenta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
2 poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
4 slices bacon, chopped fine
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Ingredients

3 cups water
¾ cup instant polenta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
2 poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
4 slices bacon, chopped fine
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Why This Recipe Works

Using instant polenta leaves plenty of time to sauté a flavorful bacon-poblano topping for the seared scallops.

Before You Begin

For the best browning, do not move the scallops once you've added them to the skillet, except to flip.

Instructions

  1. Bring water to boil in large saucepan. Whisk in polenta, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in cheddar. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
  2. Cook poblanos, bacon, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until bacon is rendered and browned and poblanos are softened, about 8 minutes. Add scallion whites, Worcestershire, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to bowl and wipe skillet clean with paper towels.
  3. Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of scallops and cook until well browned, about 1½ minutes per side. Transfer to plate and tent with foil. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and remaining scallops. Serve polenta topped with bacon mixture and scallops and sprinkled with scallion greens.

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