Seared scallops with lime & miso dressing on avocado purée

Simple pleasures are always the most satisfying in my opinion, they might not always win beauty contests or prizes for culinary innovation, but when the taste:effort ratio is as compelling as with this dish, I am most happy. I loved the creaminess of the avocado as a perfect complement to the buttery scallops - and the Asian-style dressing is a refreshing twist I should use more often... this is easily whipped together, so perfect for a weekday supper or a starter for a dinner party.

We enjoyed this with sourdough baguette, but I was really craving another accompaniment which would have been perfect: I had it a little while ago at Zuma, where they serve an absolutely amazing tuna & salmon tartare with lotus chips and that addictive sheet of a prawn cracker with seaweed... I am still salivating at the thought of it!

Seared scallops with lime & miso dressing on avocado purée
(serves 2 as a starter)

6 scallops (with or without roe)
1 very ripe avocado
juice of half a lime
salt, pepper to taste
ca. 1 tbsp brown miso paste
1 tsp ghee/butter

For the marinade:
1 cm fresh ginger (grated)
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil

To decorate:
1 tsp white and black sesame seed mix (optional)

Cut the avocado un half, scoop out the flesh, retaining the stone. Mash the avocado very finely, add the lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Add the stone (prevents it from going brown) and reserve.

Combine all the ingredients for the marinade and set aside.

Heat the ghee/butter in a non-stick pan. Smear just a little of the brown miso paste onto one side of each scallop. Place the scallops in the hot oil, quickly sear on both sides until just turning lightly brown - I like my scallops to still be translucent in the middle, depending on their size, they need 1.5 to 2 minutes.

Divide the avocado between plates, arrange the scallops on top. Gently warm the marinade in the pan you just used for frying, drizzling it over the scallops just before serving.

Comments

[Elena Rego]

I have to just share that I'm sitting here starving... which is always a terrible state to read food blogs in. But as your post loaded on my page, I literally exclaimed out loud, "Oh. My. God." This looks so good, my mouth watered.

Now? I'm making a list for the grocery store!

[Kalynskitchen]

Wow, this looks absolutely heavenly!

[James]

Ditto the other commments. Need to make it straight away. New miso fan.

Adding the stone stops the avocado going grey? Didn't know this - will have to try.

[Kat]

wow, this looks so impressive and such a great combination of flavors, all my favorites wrapped up into one delicious dish.

[Gourmet Chick]

I love scallops and this looks like a perfect pairing

[Jade]

This is such a mouth watering blog!Your passion for food is inspiring!

[Jeanne @ Cooksister!]

That looks phenomenal! I really need to eat more scallops...

[a barefoot boy]

i'm on my way to the store now

[elisa]

singapore wow:))) great

[sohbet]

I am really inspired from your blog hoping you will be there with more interesting post like this.