Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia

Corn Crusted Scallops with Sweet Fern Butter: Main Dish

Servings: 6

Prep time:30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 

  4 crushed pepperoncini or other small, flavourful dried red peppers

• 

  1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

• 

  1/2 cup coarse yellow cornmeal

• 

  1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

• 

  Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• 

  4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 

  1/3 cup very coarsely chopped sweet fern or fresh sage leaves

• 

  1 lb large fresh scallops

• 

  5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Step 1:

On a large plate, mix together the pepperoncini, flour, cornmeal, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2:

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the sweet fern (or fresh sage leaves) and steep it in butter until it becomes fragrant. Keep the butter warm over very low heat.

Step 3:

Coat the scallops in the cornmeal mixture, covering all surfaces.

Step 4:

Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil to the skillet and swirl to heat it evenly. Sauté the scallops in the hot oil, flipping them once, for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the cornmeal crust turns a golden brown.

Step 5:

Turn the scallops out onto paper towels or brown paper bags to drain off some of the oil. Serve immediately, topped with the sweet fern butter sauce.