Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree
Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree is a wonderful way to use leftover grilled corn and enjoy an elegant dinner for two at the same time!
“This is one of the best dishes I have made in a long time!”
The inspiration behind this recipe:
We’ve been enjoying a wonderful bounty from our garden and at times it’s been challenging to come up with creative ways to use it all. Therefore, I was surprised when my husband came home the other day from a quick stop at the grocery store with a bag full of sweet corn.
I asked if we were expecting company, but I knew we were not. Who could blame him–sometimes seasonal produce simply looks too good to resist.
We grilled the sweet corn that night in addition to enjoying a variety of our own produce prepared in various ways. However, we ended up with leftover sweet corn.
The leftover corn inspired me to create this recipe for Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree. Sea scallops always lend an elegant note to any meal and they are so easy and quick to prepare.
Tips for buying sea scallops:
- Make sure the scallops you purchase are of high quality and not treated with any chemicals.
- If purchasing frozen bagged scallops, make sure the only ingredient listed is “sea scallops.”
I’ve got a full tutorial on how to buy, handle and sear sea scallops in this recipe.
I dusted the scallops with smoked paprika then quickly seared them in butter and bacon drippings. Mmwaahhh!
If you don’t have leftover or freshly grilled corn, simply blanch the corn. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, then blanch for two minutes. To cool the corn, hold briefly under cold running water or immerse in a bowl of ice water.
To remove the sweet corn from the cob, I like to set the ear into the middle of a large, deep bowl. It will prevent the kernels from flying everywhere. Slowly cut in a downward motion with a good, sharp knife.
This sweet corn puree also works well with grilled shrimp, chicken or pork chops.
More sea scallop recipes you’ll love:
- Sweet Corn Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops and Basil Salsa Verde
- Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa
- Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce and Tagliatelle
- Pistachio Encrusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus
- Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato Red Onion and Balsamic Salsa
- Seared Sea Scallops with Jalapeno Brown Butter and Mango Buttermilk Risotto
Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree
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Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon - cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 bunch scallions - white and light green part only, chopped
- 3 ears corn - blanched or grilled, kernels removed
- 4 ounces cream cheese - softened
- 1/2 cup half-and-half - or heavy cream
- Cayenne pepper - to taste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- 8 large sea scallops - patted dry
- 1-2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives - plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the bacon then reduce heat to medium and cook until just crisp, about 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Transfer bacon grease to a small bowl and wipe out skillet with a paper towel.
- Heat butter and 1 tablespoon bacon grease in the skillet. Add the scallions and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the corn kernels, cream cheese and half-and-half or cream. Continue cooking over medium heat or until cream cheese is smooth. Season to taste with cayenne, salt and black pepper.
- Transfer half of the corn mixture to a food processor or blender. Process until almost smooth, leaving some corn texture remaining.
- Return to skillet, stir and keep warm.
- In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon bacon grease over medium-high heat.
- Season scallops with salt, black pepper and smoked paprika. Cook 2-3 minutes per side or until medium doneness.
- Stir chopped chives and half of the cooked bacon into corn purée.
- To serve, place scallops over corn purée and garnish with remaining bacon and more snipped chives.
Recipe Notes
- May substitute shrimp for the scallops.
- Make sure the scallops you purchase are of high quality and not treated with any chemicals.
- If purchasing frozen bagged scallops, ensure the only ingredient listed is “sea scallops.”
- The corn puree can be made 1 day ahead of time. Cool and refrigerate in a covered container.
- When ready to serve, transfer to a saucepan and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water then gently reheat over low heat until heated through.
- Sear the scallops. Scallops do not reheat well.
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
This was delicious! I did make a few changes. I only had 4 scallops so I added 12 shrimp and sauteed it in bacon fat + butter. Subbed a 16oz bag of frozen corn, to which I added some ancho chili powder with the cayenne, some diced poblano, and used all parts of the scallions. Not wanting it to be too thick, I subbed 3/4 C 2% milk for cream. It was perfect! Finally, I added some cilantro to the garnish. I sopped up every last bit of the corn puree!
Hi, Angela, Thanks so very much and appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment. Shrimp is a great addition or substitute. Thanks again!
Just finished eating it and I had to come and make a comment. I’m always trying new dishes. This is one of the best dishes I have made in a long time with all the wonderful dishes that I’ve made. I don’t eat bacon so I used it with my turkey bacon and when I mixed the bacon with the corn, I did cut it up smaller because it was too big. It didn’t look good not big and I just made it for myself, and only served myself for scallops, which, by the way I’ve never been a fan of scallops ever before because their tasteless. This is an excellent recipe and would also make a very good appetizer definitely restaurant quality and I didn’t have chives. I just use the green onions chopped up very very thin.
Hi, Catherine, Thanks so very much and so happy you enjoyed! Turkey bacon is the perfect substitute. Thank you again and I appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment.