Seared Scallops with Citrus-Ginger Quinoa

As long as you've got frozen scallops in your freezer, this main dish recipe can be on the table in just 35 minutes, using other common ingredients you'd normally have on hand.

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Prep Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh or frozen sea scallops

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup quinoa, rinsed and drained

  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

  • ¾ teaspoon finely shredded orange peel, divided

  • ½ teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel, divided

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

  • 4 teaspoons butter

  • ½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • 4 leaves Fresh basil leaves

Directions

  1. Thaw scallops, if frozen. Rinse scallops; pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.

  2. Combine the water, quinoa, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of the shredded orange peel, 1/4 teaspoon of the shredded lemon peel, the salt, and crushed red pepper in a small saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in chopped basil.

  3. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops to skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until scallops are nearly opaque, turning once. Remove scallops from skillet; keep warm. Add broth, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon shredded orange peel, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon shredded lemon peel to skillet. Bring to boiling. Boil, uncovered, 2 minutes.

  4. Serve scallops and broth mixture over quinoa mixture. If desired, garnish with basil leaves.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

215 Calories
6g Fat
17g Carbs
23g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3 to 4 scallops, 1/3 cup quinoa, and 1 tablespoon sauce
Calories 215
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 23g 45%
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 48mg 16%
Vitamin A 275IU 5%
Vitamin C 5mg 5%
Folate 53mcg 13%
Sodium 434mg 19%
Calcium 46mg 4%
Iron 1mg 8%
Magnesium 108mg 26%
Potassium 519mg 11%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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