How To Cook Scallops In The Oven: Nutritious Recipe

Scallops are very nutritious—they’re rich in protein and low in calories. They are a source of magnesium and potassium, which are good for your heart and brain.

To preserve their nutritious benefits, you should know the healthy ways on how to cook them. One of which is by using your oven.

How to cook scallops in oven? Here’s a recipe for you.

How To Store Fresh Scallops

You should always buy fresh produce for your meals. To make sure that you buy fresh scallops, head out to your local fish market or the fish section in the supermarket.

You know that the scallops are fresh if they smell of fresh ocean scent. They should not smell unpleasant, sour, or sulfurlike. Also, the scallops should be firm and moist. Try to press them. If they retain their shape after, you are sure that they are safe.

Refrigerate your scallops immediately once you get home. Cook them within two days. You can also freeze scallops and store them there for up to three months.

Thawing Frozen Scallops

To thaw your frozen scallops, remove them in the packaging and place them in a dish. Put a plastic wrap over the dish and put it in the refrigerator. Let them thaw overnight.

Also, you can use a microwave to thaw frozen scallops. Remove them from the packaging and place them in a microwave-safe dish or bowl. Cover the dish of scallops with a paper towel before placing it in the microwave.

Set the microwave to defrost setting or at 30% power in a regular setting. Heat them for 30 seconds. Check the scallops. Heat them up for an additional 30 seconds, if necessary.

A Healthy Way To Cook Sea Scallops

Cooking scallops in the oven makes your mollusks tender-crisp for eating. Plus, it keeps the nutrients, making your meal healthier. The simpler your recipe, the healthier your scallops are for consumption.

If you are in a rush to make a nutritious meal, follow the steps on how to bake scallops using your oven’s broil setting:

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Place the scallops on a greased rack. Or, you may use skewers to thread the scallops. Each skewer may hold 3 to 4 scallops. Make sure you leave ¼ inch space between each scallop.
3. Sprinkle salt and pepper for seasoning, if you prefer.
4. Brush the scallops with olive oil or melted butter. This will keep them from drying during the cooking process.
5. Place the scallops on the topmost rack, nearest to the broiler.
6. Heat them for 6 to 10 minutes or until they are opaque. Brush the scallops with more oil or butter as you flip them halfway through the cooking time.
7. Serve and enjoy.

Conclusion

Scallops, as we have mentioned earlier, are rich in protein and low in calories. They also help in blood circulation. However, it is also a common allergen. So, be cautious about your consumption.

There are many other healthy ways to prepare your sea scallops—grilling and searing, amng others. How to cook scallops in oven is one of the easiest methods. Go ahead, cook your fresh scallops. Make sure that you do not overcook them so you can enjoy a tender-crisp snack.