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.
Your wheels were turned into right direction. The dish looks yummily amazing. Salad so refreshing with mint and melon. I wish I was digging one of those right now.
Wow, that's gorgeous. I love the vinaigrette especially. Well, and the scallop. Um, and that watermelon. :)
Beautiful ! Can you send one over ? I love watermelon in salads though never thought about pairing it with scallops – thanks for the idea
Wow, what a gorgeous scallop dish! Perfect for summer, love the twist :)
This is gorgeous! So light and summery. I love your twist with the watermelon! Now I need to get out my rut…I'm totally inspired!
Wow! I have been in a mental rut lately and this just blows it wide open!!
Fantastic, though essentially simple combination. Love the colours, the flavours and LOVE that you used champagne vinegar for the dressing!
What a great idea! I get caught in ruts sometimes too, and looking back, always am surprised at what simple little things drag me out of it.
Very nice dish! The presentation is so pretty and you sound so inspired. P.S. I love the word "yumazing" :)
I love watermelon in salads, and just everything, really! With scallops, yummy.
Yum Sommer! This is true summer food. No cooking except for a quick sear and a cold salad with refreshing, hydrating watermelon. I like it! By the way, I'm going to send out your last post to all the people I know who want to open a restaurant but are too scared. Yeah!
How wonderful, I had this at a fancy pants restaurant for an app – LOVE it
colourful meal
This looks absolutely unbelievable!! I do eat scallops, and this one is huge! Definitely bookmarking this recipe- thanks =)
Oh, hey, hey, hey.. En Vogue
Love the dish :-)
What a great idea, I LOVE it! This is the second recipe I've seen that has called for champagne vinaigrette, I must find some!
I adore scallops, Sommer, and this looks so perfect. Brian does not like them, so I usually reserve my scallop appetite for restaurants, but this makes me want to go out and buy all the scallops I can find and make them just for me. The flavors sound amazing.
I adore scallops and yours look as near perfect as can be. This is a great recipe. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Love that quote!
Love these scallops.
Reminds me a lot of the TUT messages I receive.