Scallops can be served as a simple or flavored appetizer, cooked in various ways such as sautéing or grilling, and used as a component in other dishes. They should be served conveniently and easily eaten.
Fish appetizers can serve as a prelude to a meal, and a scallop appetizer is a favorite option for this purpose. Preparation can be a relatively simple process, as scallops can be served natural or cooked. Preparing a scallop appetizer typically involves three steps: light cooking, adding flavorful coatings, and refrigerating until ready to serve. Some may wish to use scallops as a flavor base for other appetizer dishes such as soups.
Scallops are a type of shellfish and are classified as sea or bay scallops. The contents of the shell, especially the adductor muscles, are highly sought after by seafood lovers. Many commercially available scallops will already be removed from their shells, although some regions offer scallops still in the shells. Unless one wishes to serve scallops as-is, they will need cooking and preparation for a scallop appetizer. In any case, the meat will probably need to be rinsed and possibly cut into smaller portions.
One way to cook scallops is to place the seasoned meat with salt or pepper in a pan containing olive oil and allow the heat to cook the scallops for a few minutes. Some regions also prefer to saute scallops in butter. People can also use other dry heat cooking methods such as grilling. Well-done scallops will likely feel firm, not too chewy, and have a white or dull coloration.
Coatings make scallops taste better, and individual tastes can determine the ideal coating for a scallop appetizer. Common additives include: garlic, soy sauce, salad dressing, pepper and ginger. Cooks generally baste the scallops with the added ingredients or marinade. This step can be accomplished by shaking all the components in a jar or by combining the additives in a saucepan and then adding the scallops. Some cooks also wrap the flavored scallops in other foods such as bacon or breading and cook further.
Individuals might also use scallops as an appetizer component, rather than the scallops being the focus of the pre-meal. For example, Japanese cooks often put scallop bits into sushi or soups. Raw scallops should be added to hot entrees a few minutes before serving, because these meats don’t heat well, and the heat from other foods helps the scallops cook. The term scallop could also refer to a dish without scallops or seafood. Sometimes, certain types of foods that are creamy and hot preparations — like potatoes — may have the name scalloped.
Appetizers are intended as a prelude to the main course, so they should be served in a way that is convenient and easily eaten. Trays can work or the contents can be laid out on a table. For individual scallop appetizer pieces, toothpicks or other manipulative devices may be pushed through the foods.
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