Seared Scallops on Watermelon Salad with Sparkling Mint Vinaigrette
Seared Scallops on Watermelon Salad with Sparkling Mint Vinaigrette – A striking combination that will have your guests begging for more!
Need a little va-va-voom in your life? Something to help you break out of the mundane? Every now and again, I feel like I’m stuck in a rut.
Same schedule, same clothes, same workout, same thoughts, same conversations, same meals… Blah! Of course by nature, I’m a planner so I do like schedules. Yet, even we planners need a little excitement in our lives.
Sometimes, one tiny change can get the ball rolling for transition out of dreary gray routine. One minuscule shift can starts the domino effect in all areas of your life.
Last month I had a blah week. As I was preparing dinner one evening, it struck me that perhaps it would be nice to add watermelon to our salad, instead of tomatoes. Nothing revolutionary, just chopped watermelon. The melon added the same watery-bite and sweetness as ripe tomatoes, but with an element of surprise.
I thought to myself, “Girl, you need to think like that more often! It only took one small adjustment to make this green salad sing. Surely you can do even better with a little thought.” Hmmm…
With my wheels turning, this is what I came up with. Fast and fabulous Seared Scallops on Watermelon Salad with Sparkling Mint Vinaigrette.
Cool, hot, soft, crisp, buttery, light, yummazing!
Not only that, it inspired me to make adjustments to several other blah meals I’ve been cooking. Now, how about you give it a try. After all…
The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions. ~Ellen Glasgow
To prepare Seared Scallops on Watermelon Salad with Sparkling Mint Vinaigrette:
Cut watermelon into 8 half inch rounds. Slice the radishes thin and set aside.
Pat the scallops dry and remove the “foot.” Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
Heat a large skillet to high. Drizzle a scant amount of oil in the skillet and carefully rub it around with a paper towel. When the skillet is smoking hot, place the scallops top down. Sear for 1 1/2 minutes until you can see caramelization around the edges.
Using tongs or a metal spatula, flip the scallops. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and cook 1-2 more minutes.
Puree a quick mint vinaigrette with champagne vinegar.
Then plate the seared scallops on top of the watermelon with arugula leaves and radishes all around. Drizzle the sparkling mint vinaigrette over the top.
Heavens! Just look at those scallops.
I want to make these Seared Scallops on Watermelon Salad with Sparkling Mint Vinaigrette again and again and again. Yet that would start another rut.
Once every few weeks is going to have to do!
Seared Scallops on Watermelon Salad with Sparkling Mint Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mint leaves
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 1/2 cup grape seed oil + 1 teaspoon for skillet
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
- 8 extra large diver scallops sometimes called colossal
- Cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 8 slices watermelon half-inch thick
- 1 bunch radishes
- 5 ounces baby arugula
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Puree the mint, vinegar, grape seed oil, agave, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in the blender. Set aside. Using a 2- to 3-inch cookie cutter, cut the watermelon into 8 rounds. Slice the radishes thin and set aside.
- Pat the scallops dry and remove the “foot.” Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a little cayenne pepper.
- Heat a large skillet to high. Drizzle a scant amount of oil in the skillet and carefully rub it around with a paper towel. When the skillet is smoking hot, place the scallops top down. Sear for 1 1/2 minutes until you can see caramelization around the edges. Using tongs or a metal spatula, flip the scallops. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and cook 1-2 more minutes.
- To assemble: Place one watermelon round on each plate and sprinkle arugula and radishes around it. Top the watermelon with a large seared scallop. Drizzle with mint vinaigrette and serve while the scallop is warm.
I would have never thought to incorporate watermelon in a salad.. delicious! And after looking at this I have champagne in my fridge that might have to be added to a vinaigrette soon!
That is a pan of perfectly seared scallops! And the presentation is delightful, perfect summer food fare!
Bon appetit!
=:~)
Lovely presentation! Scallops and watermelon sound really good.
A wonderful recipe! Those seared scallops look irresistible.
Cheers,
Rosa
I wish I liked scallops! This dish is beautiful. Isn't nice to be able to think outside the box?
I feel as if I can taste the dish by looking at your zoom in photo of the juicy and plump scallop cushioned on the watermelon. It definitely looks yummy and and two thumbs up for the gorgeous presentation of the dish. :D
amazing dish!
ohlala…the scallop looks so succulent and perfectly seared!~ What a salivating creation!
Wow. What a beautiful presentation. I am sure this must taste amazing, the watermelon would compliment the scallops perfectly. I love it! I am totally making this.
Those scallops look perfectly cooked and sound just wonderful atop a watermelon!
I totally have those days too–it's almost like you force yourself to be creative to get out of a rut. Your creativity clearly worked in your favor. I can imagine how nice the scallops are with the watermelon.
Yumazing! I love that word! You sound like the next Rachael Ray! This looks so amazing, I can't believe your creativity. Could you send some of it this way please? I feel like I'm in a creativity rut these days!
Too clever! I love your creativity and I have trouble believing that you have any blah moments! I must try this recipe, the watermelon looks so fresh and the scallops so succulent, wow what a combination:-)
Sparkling! This looks fantastic! Nice and fancy.
Absolutely gorgeous dish…love the creativity and the way you mix such a variety of ingredients…would love to try it :-) And the pictures are awesome!
Belinda~ I love that you got my En Vogue reference!
Be colorblind…this looks lovely!! Love scallops.
I like your invention. The scallops look amazing.