Rania's Recipes: Parchment Baked Scallops, Spring Vegetables & More
Spring has finally sprung in our area and Rania Harris stops by to show off some great recipes to celebrate the occasion!
Parchment Baked Scallops with Spring Vegetables
- 1 pound asparagus spears
- 4 ounces English Peas
- 6 spring scallions ~ cut into ½ inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- Se salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 pounds sea scallops
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 425ºF.
Cut or snap off the tough stem ends from the asparagus spears and discard. Cut the spears into 1 1/2-inch lengths. Bring a large saucepan three-fourths full of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and boil until bright green, about 1 minute. Drain well and set aside.
In a small bowl, using a fork, mash together the lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, salt and pepper.
Cut out 6 hearts from parchment paper, each one 12 inches high and 12 inches wide at its widest point. Spread the 6 parchment hearts in a single layer on a work surface. Divide the scallops, peas, scallions and asparagus evenly among them, placing them on the right half of each heart. Season with salt and pepper and dot with the lemon butter. Fold the left half of each heart over the filling and, beginning at one end, fold and crease the edges together securely so no juices will escape. Place in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
Bake until the packets have puffed considerably, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on warmed individual plates. Carefully cut open the top of each packet with scissors and serve immediately.
Serves: 6
Dandelion Greens with Strawberries, Walnuts and Goat Cheese
- ½ cup walnut halves
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil
- 8 ounces dandelion greens
- 1 pint strawberries ~ cut into halves
- 4 ounces goat cheese ~ crumbled
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees
Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, and toast until lightly golden and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Let the nuts cool to room temperature, chop coarsely and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and walnut nut oil until smooth and blended, and season with salt and pepper.
In a large salad bowl, combine the dandelion greens, walnuts, vinaigrette, salt and pepper and toss to mix. Top with the strawberries and goat cheese and serve immediately.
