CAJUN SCALLOPS AND RICE

By beach cook

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 scallions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt
• 4 cups frozen chopped greens, such as collards and/or kale (about ten ounces), thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 pound medium sea scallops (about 20), "foot muscles" removed
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Preparation

Step 1

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the scallion whites and jalapeno and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, the rice, bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low; stir, then cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the greens. Cover and set aside.

2. Season the scallops with salt and sprinkle one side with the Cajun seasoning. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil, then the scallops, spice-side down; cook until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until just cooked through, about 1 minute.

3. Stir the parsley and scallion greens into the rice and season with salt. Serve with the scallops and lemon wedges.

Per serving: Calories 428 Fat 15 g (Saturated 4 g); Cholesterol 52 mg; Sodium 514 mg; Carbohydrate 49 g; Fiber 6 g; Protein 26 g.