Scallops with Grapefruit, Bacon and Chimichurri Recipe

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Scallops with Grapefruit, Bacon and Chimichurri Recipe

This year for Valentine’s Day, instead of fighting for a reservation and investing hundreds of dollars into an elaborate dinner and drinks, a showy outfit and overpriced Uber trips, whip up a romantic (and easy!) dinner for two at home.

I know what you’re thinking, cooking for someone can be nerve-racking, especially in the early stages of a new relationship. However, I’m here to prove to you that you’re more than capable of preparing a divine, health-forward and aesthetically pleasing dinner for two. Better yet, instead of cooking for your date, why not cook with your date? One of my all-time favorite things to do is to cook with my boyfriend, Mike. I’d take a night of learning, experimenting and trying new recipes together in our kitchen over a night out, any time!

This Scallop recipe with Bacon, Grapefruit and Chimichurri is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Scallops can be intimidating to cook, but they shouldn’t be! A quick sear on each side in a hot skillet is all it takes. Or, if you want to really knock it out of the park, Sous Vide your Scallops, and then give them a quick sear- they will unquestionably melt in your mouth.

If we’re being honest, the most difficult part of this whole recipe is segmenting the grapefruit (when I walk you through that, you’ll see that it, too, is a cakewalk). This meal is comprised of just about everything: salt, a touch of sweetness, fat, texture, heat and acid. Open up a beautiful bottle of wine, or craft a few cocktails, and you’re destined for an ideal evening in.

Close up of the finished product

Scallops with Grapefruit, Bacon and Chimichurri

Abby Allen
Not only is the recipe the perfect date night go-to, but because it takes under 30 minutes to prepare, it's ideal for weeknights, too!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

For the Scallops and Salad

  • 4 slices Bacon Any kind will do.
  • 1 Grapefruit We will be segmenting it later on.
  • 2 cups Arugula
  • 1 Watermelon Radish If you can't find Watermelon radishes, any kind of radish will suffice! If you're using Red Radishes, you'll want to use at least 2-3.
  • 1 Small Shallot Minced
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 6 U-10 Scallops Side muscle removed.
  • 1/2 cup Yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 tsp Salt Plus more to taste.
  • 1/2 tsp pepper Plus more to taste.
  • 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Micro-Greens Optional. I find my Micro-Greens at the Farmers Market and Whole Foods

Instructions
 

Make the Chimichurri

  • Before Making the Chimichurri, preheat the oven to 425F and place your Bacon on a Parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until crisp, cool and then crumble and set aside in a small bowl.
    Bacon
  • Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend for one minute. Season with salt to taste and set aside. Alternatively, finely mince Fresno Chile, Garlic and herbs and add to a medium size bowl with remaining ingredients. Whisk until combined well.
    Ingredients for the Chimichurri

Prepare the Salad

  • Begin by segmenting the grapefruit. Trim the top 1/4 inch and bottom 1/4 inch of the Grapefruit to create a flat surface.
    Grapefruit segmenting, part 1
  • With one of the flat sides down on a cutting board, start at the top of the grapefruit with your knife. Cut the peel/pith off from top to bottom, following the natural curve of the grapefruit.
    Grapefruit segmenting, part 2
  • When the peel/pitch has been removed, stand the grapefruit up on a flat surface again. Following the natural line segments of the Grapefruit, cut it in half. Now, you can cut the grapefruit into segments by following the natural lines. Remove any seeds and set segmented Grapefruit pieces aside in a small bowl.
    Segmenting the Grapefruit, part 3
  • Using a Microplane (or a sharp knife), slice the Radish into thin rounds. Cut your radish pieces, leaving some in halves and some in quarters pieces. Set aside in a small bowl.
  • Divide Arugula evenly between plates and top with Radish, Grapefruit and Shallots. Top with remaining 1/2 tsp Lemon juice and a piece of Salt and Pepper.
    The salad portion of the dish

Searing the Scallops

  • In a medium bowl, combine Cornmeal, Salt and Pepper. One at a time, coat Scallops in Cornmeal mixture and put onto a clean plate.
    Scallops in Cornmeal mixture
  • Heat medium cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add Olive Oil. When hot enough (skillet will put off a touch of smoke), add Scallops to pan and sear for 1 1/2 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and plate beside the salad. Drizzle with Chimichurri, top with Bacon bits, finish with Micro-greens (optional) and serve!
    Overview shot of both plates
  • *If you're going to Sous Vide your Scallops, set your Precision Cooker (I use Anova Culinary's model- with bluetooth and Wifi) to 123.8F. Salt and pepper Scallops and place into a vacuum seal or ziplock bag and seal with vacuum sealer or by using the immersion method. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Remove bag from water, Remove Scallops from bag and pat dry. Then, add to cornmeal mixture and sear.
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DISCLAIMER: Kevin, Lori, Abby, Haley, Lindsey & Mahika do not dine anonymously (this would be impossible) and we sometimes get free food (though never expected). However, we dine with the locals and we support our own. You will always get honesty in a respectful manner. We do not include any large national or regional chains in our ratings and reviews. We focus on independent locally owned eateries exclusively.

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