Seared Sesame Scallop Bites

If you like scallops and Asian inspired food, I think you'll like these. They make a wonderful appetizer, or party food on the buffet table.

Seared Sesame Scallop Bites

For the "dipping" sauce:

1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green onion, minced
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, minced
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 tablespoon sake (or very dry sherry/cocktail sherry, NOT Cooking Sherry)

12 bite-sized sea scallops
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup sesame seeds
12 Chinese soup spoons

Optional finishing touch: A few drops of dark sesame oil on each scallop


In a small bowl whisk together ginger, garlic, green onion, cilantro, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, soy, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, and sake.

Place 1 teaspoon of vinaigrette in each soup spoon.


To pan sear the scallops:

Season scallops with salt and pepper.
Place sesame seeds on a plate. Place both top and bottom side of each scallop in sesame seeds, and press gently to allow sesame seeds to adhere.
In a saute pan, over medium-high heat add remaining tablespoon of oil.
When oil is hot, add scallops, placing them sesame-crusted side down.
Sear for approximately 1 minute, or until sesame seeds brown.
Turn and sear on other sesame-crusted side for 1 more minute.
Place 1 scallop in each soup spoon.

Serve immediately, or just warm.