Noobie? Best way to poach scallops...

[ImolaS4]

My first post here at DC.com........

I tried a recipe that called for equal parts water and white wine, but the scllops didn't taste right. I don't mean they were bad because of quality, rather, they didn't have a flavor that made me want to finish the plate - they weren't succulent!
Maybe it was the wine; the recipe didn't specify which type of wine so I used a Riesling. :oops:

Does anyone have a really interesting recipe for poached scallops?

TIA

[ironchef]

well i wouldn't poach scallops. what's the point? you don't get any flavor. i could pan sear scallops with just salt and pepper and it would taste better than scallops that are poached because you have the nice golden brown crust from caramelization.

if you really want to poach the scallops then you want to make a court boullion or a nage. i don't have time to post a recipe, but you would basically need a good fish stock, a white wine like a sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, butter, black peppercorns, salt, and herbs/aromatics like cilantro, thyme, dill, etc. and then you are going to need a **** good sauce.

[BubbaGourmet]

As a seafood afficianado and a particular fan of scallops, I agree with Ironchef. NEVER poach scallops. The liquid inside the scallop will be forced out and you get tasteless little lumps of flesh. Pan searing is my favorite way to cook them. Be careful when buying them as well. Most scallops that are sold in America today are either packed in a preservative bath which leeches out while cooking, dragging the scallops sweetness and flavor with them or are IQF. While IQF processing does not harm most seafood, scallops really don't do that well and again, lose that characteristic sweetness. Find a seafood dealer you can trust and ask for 'Dry-packed scallops". These are about 30% more expensive, but about 100 times superior in taste. If you can get them "Divers scallops" are excellent, but the premium they command is more than I will pay...particularly if I can get the dry packed.

[GB]

My favorite way to cook them is to broil them. Place them close to the heat and cook until golden to dark golden on top. I had them this way at the No Name restaurant in Boston and ever since then I was hooked. It is so easy to make them this way too. You don't need anything extra, just some nice scallops.

[Jermosh]

Actaully the only good way of poaching scallops is in oyster liguer(spelling?) It has to be very light in temp as well. It is still mostly raw, which if they are really fresh diver scallops I useally eat them that way anyways.

I would stay away form anthing accidic in poaching htem, unless you are doing a cold poach of course

[kyles]

I stir fry scallops in a teriyaki sauce with julienne vegetables, zucchini, carrots and red onion, and they are delicious.

My dad does them kilpatrick, wrapped in bacon, placed on skewers, drizzled with worcestershire sauce, and then broiled.

Where I am from in Tasmania, they are now cheaper than ever, as the scallop beds have been replenished after years of over harvesting. They are so sweet and delicious, yum! The shame of it, is that the most common way of eating them there is heavily breaded and deep fried, with sharp tartare sauce, such a waste of such a lovely creature.

[Raine]

Love them broiled or grilled.