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Cumin-Seared Scallop Tacos

Photo: Cumin-Seared Scallop Tacos

TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 5 min
Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: 20 min
Cook: 30 min
 
YIELD: 4 servings
LEVEL: Easy

ingredients

  • Tomatillo Guacamole, recipe follows
  • Cilantro-Lime Rice, recipe follows
  • Mango Salsa, recipe follows
    • Cumin-Seared Scallop Tacos
    • 1 1/4 pounds large sea scallops (about 8)
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
    • Tomatillo Guacamole
    • 6 to 8 tomatillos, husked and coarsely chopped (about 8 ounces)
    • 3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
    • 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced
    • 1/2 onion, coarsely chopped
    • 1/2 jalapeno, coarsely chopped with seeds
    • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and quartered
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • Mango Salsa
    • 1/2 cup diced mango
    • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoons minced onion
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    • 2 teaspoons minced Serrano chile
    • Zest and juice of 1 lime
    • Cilantro-Lime Rice
    • 1/2 cup rice
    • 5 sprigs fresh cilantro
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    Directions

    First prepare the tomatillo guacamole, cilantro-lime rice, and mango salsa and set aside.

    Remove the tough ligament from the side of each scallop and discard. Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Season both sides of each scallop with salt, and cumin.

    In a large cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Allow the skillet to get as hot as possible without burning the butter.

    Sear the scallops, turning once, until golden brown on each side, and just cooked through, about 3-5 minutes total. Transfer to a platter and quarter.

    To assemble, toast corn tortillas, if desired, over an open flame just until slightly charred. Fill each tortilla with 2 tablespoons rice, 1 tablespoon guacamole, 1 seared and quartered scallop, and top with mango salsa. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
    To make guacamole:
    Combine the tomatillos, cilantro, avocado, onion, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, cumin, and salt in a food processor or blender and pulse until combined.
    To make the salsa:
    Combine the mango, tomatoes, minced onion, cilantro, chile, lime zest, and lime juice in a small bowl. Allow the flavors to macerate. Serve as a garnish for the cumin seared scallop tacos.
    To make the rice:
    In a small saucepan, bring the rice, cilantro, broth, rice, and lime juice to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Remove the cilantro sprigs and serve.

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    5

    Newest Ratings and Reviews

    Read all 2 reviews

    • on July 24, 2012

      Flag

      This recipe was awesome!!!!! Very tasty and will make this part of my
      lunch or dinner menu. I just loved the cast iron skillet show, Kelsey
      I watch you alot-you are very informative with your recipes. Just Love Kelsey's Essentials!!!!!
      You Go Girl

      people found this review Helpful.
      Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

    • on October 11, 2011

      Flag

      This recipe is excellent. It was really tasty.

      I only made a few changes....

      1. Instead of using just butter I cooked some bacon and seared the scallops in the bacon fat for some more flavor. I also added 3-4 bacon crumbles to the taco for flavor.

      2. I added some ginger-ale to the guacomole/tomatillo mix to give it a bit of a pop and to keep it from being so thick. If I used a bigger onion or something like that it probably would've been the right texture.

      3. To save time I bought mango salsa from the store. It had practically the same ingredients as the recipe and tasted very good.

      4. I recommend you add some shredded monterey jack cheese. It gives some great flavor, texture, and creaminess. You can use that instead of the soul cream or both.

      5. To save time you can use the microwave-steam rice, and then add some cilantro and lime to it.

      Enjoy!!!

      people found this review Helpful.
      Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
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