here's one that i recently whipped together over the holiday weekend...
Scallop Quesadilla
serving size: it depends...1 quesadilla is a meal unto it self for 1 person but it can also be served as an appetizer or hors d'oevre. however, the recipe below is for 2 full quesadillas.....
ingredients
- c. 1 lb of baby scallops
- large round flour tortillas; the larger the better
- butter
- 2 cloves of fresh garlic
- 1 package (12 or 16 oz?) of shredded cheddar cheese
- tomatoes (any type & 2 or 3 will suffice)
- 2 bell peppers (any color)
- red onion
- 1 small jalepeño pepper
or, in place of the italicized, you can use the
salsa relish recipe from above in place of them. this is what i use plus a diced up jalepeño
...
kitchen utensils/tools
a sharp chef's knif
cutting board
spatula
medium sized sautee pan
large sautee pan; the larger the better
1st thing's 1st. dice up your veggies (tomatoes/bell peppers/red onion/jalepeño) if you're not using the referenced relish recipe. i would urge anyone to use the referenced one but either would suffice. set the chopped veggies to the side...
- start out by sauteeing the baby scallops (don't purchase the large and chewy scallops b/c they lack the tenderness that the baby ones have) in the medium sized sautee pan with c. 2 tbsp of butter and the 2 cloves of garlic (minced finely) on a MEDIUM heat. stir gently as it cooks. it will emit a wonderful aroma w/ the garlic and seafood combo
while the scallpos are cooking, pre-heat the large skillet on a MEDIUM flame and plop in about 1 tbsp of butter into the pan.
- once lightly browned, remove the scallops from the range and drain off any excess butter. set them to the side.
- spread the melted butter around the large skillet (use plastic so as to not ruin the teflon [if applicable]) and then place 1 large flour tortilla into the skillet.
- generously spread the shredded cheddar cheese around the
entire tort. it will begin to melt.
- after the cheese, add the baby scallops to only
half of the tort.
- add on the relish or chppoed veggies to the
entire tort.
make sure the bottom of the tort isn't burning at any point during the process.
once all of the ingredients are added, flip the half of the tortilla that
doesn't have the scallops on them onto the other half that does have them. the cheese will act as a bonding agent.
remove from pan and onto the cutting board. cut into 4's if you'd like. you can cut them even smaller if need be.
suggested condiments: of course, the best is sour cream, guacamole (of which i have i fine recipe for
), salsa or even chili con queso (spicy melted cheese).
enjoy!