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Seared Scallops with Pickled Peppers and Couscous

By Cecelia Jenkins

Published on June 7, 2015

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Seared Scallops with Pickled Peppers and Couscous

Ingredients

½ cup finely chopped pepperoncini plus 2 tablespoons brine½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 scallions, sliced thin1 teaspoon grated orange zest plus 2 tablespoons juiceSalt and pepper 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 cup couscous 1 cup water 2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ¼-inch pieces½ cup chopped fresh parsley 1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Instructions

  1. Combine pepperoncini and brine, 2 tablespoons oil, scallions, orange zest and juice, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in bowl; set aside. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add couscous and cook, stirring frequently, until grains are just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; stir to combine, cover, and remove pan from heat. Let stand until tender, about 7 minutes. Uncover, add tomatoes, parsley, and 1/4 cup oil and fluff with fork.
  2. Meanwhile, pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium- high heat until just smoking. Add half of scallops in single layer and cook without moving them until well browned, about 1 1/2 minutes. Flip scallops and cook without moving them until second side is well browned, about 1 1/2 minutes longer. Transfer scallops to plate and tent loosely with foil. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining scallops. Arrange scallops over couscous and top with pepperoncini mixture. Serve.
Seared Scallops with Pickled Peppers and Couscous

Seared Scallops with Pickled Peppers and Couscous

Headshot of Cecelia Jenkins
By Cecelia Jenkins
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

½ cup finely chopped pepperoncini plus 2 tablespoons brine
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 scallions, sliced thin
1 teaspoon grated orange zest plus 2 tablespoons juice
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup couscous
1 cup water
2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ¼-inch pieces
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Ingredients

½ cup finely chopped pepperoncini plus 2 tablespoons brine
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 scallions, sliced thin
1 teaspoon grated orange zest plus 2 tablespoons juice
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup couscous
1 cup water
2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ¼-inch pieces
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Ingredients

½ cup finely chopped pepperoncini plus 2 tablespoons brine
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 scallions, sliced thin
1 teaspoon grated orange zest plus 2 tablespoons juice
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup couscous
1 cup water
2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ¼-inch pieces
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 ½ pounds large sea scallops, tendons removed

Why This Recipe Works

Searing the scallops for just 3 minutes enhances their flavor without overcooking them.

Instructions

  1. Combine pepperoncini and brine, 2 tablespoons oil, scallions, orange zest and juice, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in bowl; set aside. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add couscous and cook, stirring frequently, until grains are just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; stir to combine, cover, and remove pan from heat. Let stand until tender, about 7 minutes. Uncover, add tomatoes, parsley, and 1/4 cup oil and fluff with fork.
  2. Meanwhile, pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium- high heat until just smoking. Add half of scallops in single layer and cook without moving them until well browned, about 1 1/2 minutes. Flip scallops and cook without moving them until second side is well browned, about 1 1/2 minutes longer. Transfer scallops to plate and tent loosely with foil. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining scallops. Arrange scallops over couscous and top with pepperoncini mixture. Serve.

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