Scallops - How to saute'?

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking? I
purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a
strainer, then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green
onions and a little garlic. When I put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water
resulted and the scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

Thanks,

Since you dried them well before cooking, I'd have to say it was too many scallops for the size
pan you used. As with any meat/fish/seafood, if you overcrowd the pan, they will stew in their
own juices.

On Tue, 17 Feb 2004 04:03:48 GMT, "Scot" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking? I
purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a strainer,
then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green onions and a
little garlic. When I put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water resulted and the
scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

You want to start with 'dry' scallops. That means they haven't been soaked in phosphate to puff them
up and add weight (moisture). You probably can't ever get dry scallops frozen.

Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a

"Hawg Polo?" . . . "Hawg Polo"

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking? I
purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a
strainer, then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green
onions and a little garlic. When

I

Quoted message said:

put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water resulted and

the

Quoted message said:

scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

Thanks,

One possibility is that the scallops had water added to them. There are wet (water and sodium-
something or other added) and dry scallops. The wet scallops tend to have an off flavor and give off
liquid when they are cooked. I don't know if this weight and suppossed shelf life enhancement is
added to frozen scallops but it certainly is to fresh ones. Bought the water injected ones once by
mistake, won't do that again.

Jessica

In article <[email hidden]>,

Scot said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking?

Gently. And thaw them first. :-) Ah, nevermind, I see you did.

Quoted message said:

I purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a
strainer, then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green
onions and a little garlic. When I put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water
resulted and the scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

Not a hot enough pan? I tend to have the opposite problem. ;-)

Treat scallops like shrimp. Hot and fast.

Quoted message said:

Thanks,

HTH?
K.

Quoted message said:

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In article <[email hidden]>,

Wayne Boatwright said:

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking? I
purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a
strainer, then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green
onions and a little garlic. When I put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water
resulted and the scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

Thanks,

Since you dried them well before cooking, I'd have to say it was too many scallops for the size
pan you used. As with any meat/fish/seafood, if you overcrowd the pan, they will stew in their
own juices.

That too. :-) Try a wok???

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Quoted message said:

,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katra at centurytel dot net>,,<

cgi6.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking? I
purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a
strainer, then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green
onions and a little garlic. When

I

Quoted message said:

put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water resulted and

the

Quoted message said:

scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

Thanks,

Most important make sure that you get "dry" scallops. Many scallops are soaked in a phosphate (I
think) solution during processing - this makes them last longer but also makes them absorb water
with the results you described. Soaked scallops tend to be pure white while dry ones (they are not
really dry, this is just the term for unsoaked scallops) tend to be more of an uneven off-
white/ivory color. I would not be surprised if freezing also increases water retention. Bring them
to room temp before cooking and pat them dry with paper towels. Heat your oil until quite hot but
not super hot and add the scallops - enough so that there is plenty of space between them in the
pan, single layer. Here's where there is no substitute for experience - just how hot the pan should
be. Don;t stir them constantly but let them sit for a bit on each side.

--
Peter Aitken

Remove the [censored] from my email address before using.

"Peter Aitken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Most important make sure that you get "dry" scallops. Many scallops are soaked in a phosphate (I
think) solution during processing - this makes

them

Quoted message said:

last longer but also makes them absorb water with the results you

described.

Quoted message said:

Soaked scallops tend to be pure white while dry ones (they are not really dry, this is just the
term for unsoaked scallops) tend to be more of an uneven off-white/ivory color. I would not be
surprised if freezing also increases water retention. Bring them to room temp before cooking and
pat them dry with paper towels. Heat your oil until quite hot but not super

hot

Quoted message said:

and add the scallops - enough so that there is plenty of space between

them

Quoted message said:

in the pan, single layer. Here's where there is no substitute for experience - just how hot the
pan should be. Don;t stir them constantly

but

Quoted message said:

let them sit for a bit on each side.

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the world. It worked perfectly.
The big question I got slammed with is this: How is it possible to sauté the "non-dry"
scallops successfully because they're approximately $10/lb while the "dry" scallops are nearly
double at $18+/lb.?

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Peter Aitken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Most important make sure that you get "dry" scallops. Many scallops are soaked in a phosphate (I
think) solution during processing - this makes

them

Quoted message said:

last longer but also makes them absorb water with the results you

described.

Quoted message said:

Soaked scallops tend to be pure white while dry ones (they are not

really

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

dry, this is just the term for unsoaked scallops) tend to be more of an uneven off-white/ivory
color. I would not be surprised if freezing also increases water retention. Bring them to room
temp before cooking and

pat

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them dry with paper towels. Heat your oil until quite hot but not super

hot

Quoted message said:

and add the scallops - enough so that there is plenty of space between

them

Quoted message said:

in the pan, single layer. Here's where there is no substitute for experience - just how hot the
pan should be. Don;t stir them constantly

but

Quoted message said:

let them sit for a bit on each side.

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the world. It worked perfectly. The
big question I got slammed with is this: How is it possible to sauté the "non-dry" scallops
successfully because they're approximately $10/lb while the "dry" scallops are nearly double at

$18+/lb.?

Quoted message said:

Beats me. Perhaps this is an example of "you get what you pay for."

--
Peter Aitken

Remove the [censored] from my email address before using.

I have a recipe on how to deep fry scallops, which instructs to cover with milk, salt added....and
let set a while.....drain well before breading. Could be maybe, that this would work!!!! And yes,
there is a difference in consistency and taste....

Scot said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking? I
purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a strainer,
then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green onions and a
little garlic. When I put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water resulted and the
scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

Thanks,

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 02:23:45 GMT, "Scot" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Peter Aitken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Most important make sure that you get "dry" scallops. Many scallops are soaked in a phosphate (I
think) solution during processing - this makes

them

Quoted message said:

last longer but also makes them absorb water with the results you

described.

Quoted message said:

Soaked scallops tend to be pure white while dry ones (they are not really dry, this is just the
term for unsoaked scallops) tend to be more of an uneven off-white/ivory color. I would not be
surprised if freezing also increases water retention. Bring them to room temp before cooking and
pat them dry with paper towels. Heat your oil until quite hot but not super

hot

Quoted message said:

and add the scallops - enough so that there is plenty of space between

them

Quoted message said:

in the pan, single layer. Here's where there is no substitute for experience - just how hot the
pan should be. Don;t stir them constantly

but

Quoted message said:

let them sit for a bit on each side.

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the world. It worked perfectly. The
big question I got slammed with is this: How is it possible to sauté the "non-dry" scallops
successfully because they're approximately $10/lb while the "dry" scallops are nearly double at
$18+/lb.?

Forget about it. The cheaper ones are charging for the water and the scallop. Just buy fewer of
the dry ones.

The dry ones can also be seared on a hot iron pan, making a nice brown crust on the faces and
leaving them just warm inside. Yum. You can't do that with the soaked ones either.

Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a

"Hawg Polo?" . . . "Hawg Polo"

In article <[email hidden]>,

Peter Aitken said:

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Peter Aitken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Most important make sure that you get "dry" scallops. Many scallops are soaked in a phosphate
(I think) solution during processing - this makes

them

Quoted message said:

last longer but also makes them absorb water with the results you

described.

Quoted message said:

Soaked scallops tend to be pure white while dry ones (they are not

really

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

dry, this is just the term for unsoaked scallops) tend to be more of an uneven off-white/ivory
color. I would not be surprised if freezing also increases water retention. Bring them to room
temp before cooking and

pat

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them dry with paper towels. Heat your oil until quite hot but not super

hot

Quoted message said:

and add the scallops - enough so that there is plenty of space between

them

Quoted message said:

in the pan, single layer. Here's where there is no substitute for experience - just how hot
the pan should be. Don;t stir them constantly

but

Quoted message said:

let them sit for a bit on each side.

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the world. It worked perfectly.
The big question I got slammed with is this: How is it possible to sauté the "non-dry" scallops
successfully because they're approximately $10/lb while the "dry" scallops are nearly double at

$18+/lb.?

Quoted message said:

Beats me. Perhaps this is an example of "you get what you pay for."

And why can't you dry out "wet" scallops? Inquiring minds want to know...... ;-)

K.

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Quoted message said:

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cgi6.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

I use both fresh and frozen scallops from time to time. I always saute them. There are certain rules
about frozen fish products: always thaw in the refrigerator. Always pat dry with paper towels.
Always use a very very hot skillet or wok with a very small amount of oil and only a small amount of
fish in the pan at a time. Do NOT crowd them or you are headed for BIG trouble - LOL.

As a general rule, any fish is better undercooked than ever overcooked. Scallops sauteed in a very
hot skillet only take a couple of minutes. You can splash a few drops of soy sauce on them if you
like - along with a little lemon juice.

I like to flash saute them as above and have a hot cream and wine garlic sauce ready, so that when I
put the scallops into the little serving shells, I can then pour the sauce over and sprinkle with a
little parmesan and do another quick flash grill (broil?) to brown the cheese. This has to be very
quick or you can risk overcooking the scallops!

If you are worried about this last step, leave it out, and sprinkle over the scallops in the
sauce with finely chopped fresh herbs and/or spring onions (green onions? scallions?) I know you
all get my drift.

I absolutely adore scallops. But you must remember to flash stir fry them in a very very hot pan!

Enjoy.

Daisy.

Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the world. It worked perfectly. The
big question I got slammed with is this: How is it possible to sauté the "non-dry" scallops
successfully because they're approximately $10/lb while the "dry" scallops are nearly double at

$18+/lb.?

Maybe you could remove and drain the scallops after they've juiced out, add more fat to the pan,
reheat, and then re-add and brown them? Also try a pan that has a textured bottom, giving the excess
juice somewhere to go.

Scot said:

How do I saute' scallops and get them to have a barely golden exterior without over cooking? I
purchased a package of frozen scallops, thawed them in the refrigerator, washed them in a
strainer, then dried them with paper towels. In a heated skillet, I melted butter, chopped green
onions and a little garlic. When I put the scallops in the pan, a significant amount of water
resulted and the scallops were then basically boiled. Where'd I go wrong?

Try pain searing them in a hot pan with a bit of oil. They only need about a minute per side. I
like them when they are just a little raw in the middle. You can keep them warm and make a sauce
with the juices.

Quoted message said:

Thanks,

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Peter Aitken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

(snip)

Quoted message said:

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the world. It worked perfectly. The
big question I got slammed with is this: How is it possible to sauté the "non-dry" scallops
successfully because they're approximately $10/lb while the "dry" scallops are nearly double at

$18+/lb.?

Quoted message said:

Did you notice a difference in the flavor of the *dry* scallops? I'm curious. I didn't know that you
could get dry scallops. (I still don't think I could find them here on Maui, and at $18 a lb -
fogettaboutit.) What IS the taste difference? Are they sweeter? Are they firmer? Are they less firm?

kili

Quoted message said:

(snip)

Quoted message said:

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the

world.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It worked perfectly. The big question I got slammed with is this: How

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it possible to sauté the "non-dry" scallops successfully because they're approximately $10/lb
while the "dry" scallops are nearly double at

$18+/lb.?

Quoted message said:

Did you notice a difference in the flavor of the *dry* scallops? I'm curious. I didn't know that
you could get dry scallops. (I still don't think I could find them here on Maui, and at $18 a lb -
fogettaboutit.) What IS the taste difference? Are they sweeter? Are they firmer? Are

they

Quoted message said:

less firm?

kili

Yes, there was a difference. The dry scallops were larger, which allows for browning on the outside
without over-cooking the inside. Consequently, they were as perfectly firm as those served in a high-
end restaurant. The taste difference seemed to be less salty, but that could be more a product of
the way they cook as opposed to the way the smaller "wet" scallops cook. Yeah, the price was high,
as much as sushi grade tuna.

"Scot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(snip)

Quoted message said:

Okay, I purchased the "dry" scallops, and all is now well with the

world.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It worked perfectly. The big question I got slammed with is this:

How

Quoted message said:

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it possible to sauté the "non-dry" scallops successfully because

they're

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

approximately $10/lb while the "dry" scallops are nearly double at

$18+/lb.?

Quoted message said:

Did you notice a difference in the flavor of the *dry* scallops? I'm curious. I didn't know that
you could get dry scallops. (I still don't think I could find them here on Maui, and at $18 a lb
- fogettaboutit.) What IS the taste difference? Are they sweeter? Are they firmer? Are

they

Quoted message said:

less firm?

kili

Yes, there was a difference. The dry scallops were larger, which allows

for

Quoted message said:

browning on the outside without over-cooking the inside. Consequently,

they

Quoted message said:

were as perfectly firm as those served in a high-end restaurant. The

taste

Quoted message said:

difference seemed to be less salty, but that could be more a product of

the

Quoted message said:

way they cook as opposed to the way the smaller "wet" scallops cook.

Yeah,

Quoted message said:

the price was high, as much as sushi grade tuna.

Interesting. They must have been really sweet then. I'll do some looking around at our local
fishmongers and see if I can find some. Now I've gotta try them! kili

Daisy said:

I use both fresh and frozen scallops from time to time. I always saute them.

MANY, many years ago, a fish monger told me there was no such thing as an unfrozen (what we consider
"fresh"😉 shrimp/scallop.

I don't know why they are called "fresh", but it's probably the same reason as why those chickens
you could use as bowling balls can be called "fresh"... they aren't frozen to the point that the
USDA calls "frozen". LOL

Practice safe eating - always use condiments

sf said:

Daisy said:

I use both fresh and frozen scallops from time to time. I always saute them.

MANY, many years ago, a fish monger told me there was no such thing as an unfrozen (what we
consider "fresh"😉 shrimp/scallop.

That depends on where you are. We get fresh dry scallops in NYC. If we want, we can get them still
live in the shell.

OTOH Calicos never seem very good around here (actually I stopped buying them about 20 years ago)
but they come from the Carolinas. They may well come here frozen.

I did have calicoes at a restaurant in DC that were delicious, but he got them live. They were
steamed open and served over pasta in their shells.

If the only shrimp is from SE Asian farms, of course they are frozen. But again, in a large city,
there are other supply lines.

Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a

"In this house we _obey_ the laws of thermodynamics." --Homer Simpson