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8.19.15

Pan Seared Scallops over Spinach Cobb Salad

Savory pan seared scallops over spinach cobb salad with crispy bacon, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes all in a fresh and simple lemon chive vinaigrette.  Grain free, paleo, and Whole30 friendly!
Pan seared scallops over spinach cobb salad - paleoIs there a better present to receive in the mail than high quality, delicious seafood?  I think not.  Unless you also want to gift all my groceries every week and present them to me on my doorstep.  Just kidding.  That’s crazy!  What does it take to please this girl?  Fabulously delicious and healthy seafood is more than enough, so thank you a million times, Sizzlefish!

image

The first package I had to dive into was the scallops.  I triple heart scallops, but rarely (that means never) actually buy them, because, budget.  But darn it they are good, and they happen to be Adam’s favorite, too. Remember how much he hates salmon?  Well it’s the opposite with scallops.  He’s a superfan of scallops and that makes me happy!  So I had to figure something out.

I wanted simple, fresh, and great for a summer lunch or dinner.  Nothing too heavy or creamy.  I find that good scallops tend to hold their own and deserve to be the star of a dish.  They don’t need a lot of fuss, they just need some good supporting cast members to allow them to shine.  That’s what this salad did for these simple pan seared scallops, and it all came together quickly and oh so deliciously too 🙂

imageThe bacon adds to the savory, crispy flavor, the tomatoes and avocado compliment the sweetness of the scallops.  The vinaigrette is as simple and fresh as they come, and you don’t need a lot at all!  Drizzle on just a little bit and go from there.  The addition of fresh chives adds depth to the flavor while keeping it low FODMAP for those of you avoiding onions and garlic.    Is that a win-win?  I hope so.  Try it out and taste test for yourself!

Pan Seared Scallops over Spinach Cobb Salad

Savory pan seared sea scallops over spinach cobb salad in a fresh lemon chive vinaigrette. This easy and healthy meal and ready in under 20 minutes and is gluten free, paleo, whole30 and sugar detox friendly!
Author: Michele
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Seafood
Cuisine: Paleo
Servings: 2 servings
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5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • For the salad:
  • 2-3 large handfuls baby spinach
  • 4 slices sugar free uncured bacon
  • 1 medium avocado
  • 1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
  • For the scallops:
  • 8 sea scallops 1/2 lb thawed if previously frozen
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • Bacon fat saved from cooking the bacon
  • For the lemon vinaigrette:
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp + 2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh chives

Instructions

  1. First, cook the bacon in a large cast iron pan over med-hi heat until crisp, drain on paper towel and set aside. Reserve a couple of tbsp of bacon fat to cook the scallops.
  2. Next, prepare the salad by arranging spinach, avocado (sliced to preference) tomatoes, and cooled/crumbled bacon in a serving bowl or platter and set aside.
  3. Now, prepare the scallops. Heat a large cast iron pan over med-hi heat and add the reserved bacon fat (or just use the same pan that you prepare the bacon in.)
  4. Pat the scallops dry with paper towel and sprinkle with black pepper. Sprinkle a small amount of coarse sea salt over the bottom of the pan.
  5. Once the fat begins to smoke, add the scallops to the pan one by one, and let cook on the first side about 2-3 minutes depending on thickness. Adjust the heat to prevent burning.
  6. After the first side is brown and crisp, flip each scallop and cook about 2 more minutes, or until opaque (just cooked through.) Immediately remove the scallops from heat and arrange over the salad.
  7. Lastly, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients and drizzle over the salad just before serving. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @PaleoRunningMomma on Instagram and hashtag it #PaleoRunningMomma

image

Yum!  Simple and Healthy Pan Seared Scallops over Spinach Cobb Salad @sizzlefishfit #glutenfree #paleo

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Hope all of you are having a great week!  I hope I am too (as I’m writing this post nearly a week early!)  Even though I’m not blogging this week, I’m still reading (and hopefully answering) all of your comments.

You can also find me as always on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (pick your drug social media outlet of choice) so come stop by and see what I’m up to!

Are you a fan of scallops? 

Do you cook them or mainly order them when out to eat?

 

 

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About Michele

More than a little into running and paleo recipes (yoga now too!) but I'm not here to rain on your grains (or anything else) so come along for the ride! I do a little too much of everything (except cleaning), and I enjoy laughing at myself. As long as I'm the one making the jokes, that is. Just kidding. So bring me your angst, your appetite and your frying pan and climb aboard!

Reader Interactions

Reader Reviews & Comments

  1. The Cookie ChRUNicles says

    August 19, 2015 at 6:49 am

    I hope you are having a great time! When I started to eat fish a few years ago (I was a really picky eater most of my life!) I did like scallops a lot! But then I had a bad reaction to calamari and was told to avoid scallops after that too. But this recipe looks awesome 🙂

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 19, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Thanks! Seafood is tricky and common to have reactions to do better safe than sorry 🙂

      Reply
  2. SuzLyfe (@suzlyfe) says

    August 19, 2015 at 6:56 am

    That picture that you posted yesterday made my heart happy! (sad to intrude on it, btw, but I knew you would want in!). I love scallops–a HUGE diver scallop was the bite that changed my perception of food, actually. Alex doesn’t care for scallops, so we just about never have them (except when I had the Sizzlefish delivery). I’ve had so many terribly done scallops at restaurants, but when they are on, they are ON!
    And bacon and avocado and tomato and spinach? Sign me up.

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 19, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      Shrimp and scallops are two of Adams favorites so he was excited to get these 🙂 and thank you, it’s been a great time over here!

      Reply
  3. Skinny Fitalicious says

    August 19, 2015 at 7:11 am

    I can never pass on a scallop or any fish for that matter! Scallops are hard to find though and like you said, pricey but definitely a nice treat to have once in awhile.

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 19, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      Great treat! We had them again in cape cod, yum!

      Reply
  4. Strength and Sunshine says

    August 19, 2015 at 10:50 am

    When I ate seafood, I was never big on scallops. Something with the texture…just kinda weird, haha!

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 19, 2015 at 2:32 pm

      I think of you overcook they can be rubbery! The sizzlefish ones were amazing 🙂

      Reply
  5. lifewithniki says

    August 19, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Yum that salad looks great- specially that avocado on the side. I am pretty sure I have had scallops in the past- and I am also pretty sure I very much enjoyed them. Seafood is my favorite type of protein!

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 19, 2015 at 2:50 pm

      I love Cobb salads and topped with scallops it was a real treat 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jamie says

    August 19, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Yummy yummy! Hope you are having a fabulous time on vacation 🙂

    Reply
  7. danielle saucy smith says

    August 19, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    Oh snap this looks so delicious. My husband loves scallops!!! I can’t wait to try this easy sauce as well 🙂 hope you’re having a fabulous time!

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 19, 2015 at 2:29 pm

      Adam normally isn’t a fan of seafood but he really loves scallops too! The chives are a great touch.

      Reply
  8. jade says

    August 19, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    I am drooling over these pictures, I absolutely love scallops and this looks soo good! Hope you’re having a wonderful vacation!

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 19, 2015 at 2:27 pm

      Thanks so much! We are! This salad is such a treat.

      Reply
  9. Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says

    August 19, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    This looks awesome! I plan on trying sizzlefish next month!! 😀

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 21, 2015 at 3:56 pm

      You will absolutely love it I’m sure 🙂

      Reply
  10. thisrunnersrecipes says

    August 19, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    Ooh yum! I love scallops – they are such a meaty and delicious seafood! I don’t make them a frequently due to the price, but they are definitely worth the treat.

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 21, 2015 at 3:55 pm

      A great treat and even better that my husband loves them too 🙂

      Reply
  11. Margaret @Young and Rungry says

    August 19, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    I absolutely love scallops, but have never made them myself. I order them frequently when I go out to eat because they usually one of the healthiest things I can find on the menu. Like you said, they can hold their own and don’t need a lot of crap to make them taste good! The day I splurge and buy them from the supermarket, I’ll be referencing this recipe!

    Reply
  12. cottercrunch says

    August 19, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    this post makes me so happy. LIKE A LOT! BEST SALAD EVER!

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 21, 2015 at 3:54 pm

      Thanks!! Can’t wait to cook more of my Sizzlefish! It’s really incredible 🙂

      Reply
  13. Sarah Grace FFH says

    August 19, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    Scallops are the BEST when cooked right. But I’m always skeptical of ordering them out because of so often getting served over cooked ones :X

    xo,
    Sarah Grace

    Reply
    • Michele says

      August 21, 2015 at 3:52 pm

      I agree they are iffy but so good when done right!

      Reply
  14. Katharine says

    October 21, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    This looks great! I tend to shy away from seafood because I was raised in New Mexico…you know…without a sea. But I know it’s healthy, so I’m always on the lookout for good seafood recipes. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
    • Michele says

      October 22, 2015 at 12:54 pm

      Hope you enjoy this! It’s a great simple way to cook scallops 🙂

      Reply
  15. theposhbody says

    November 6, 2015 at 12:04 am

    I have to try this! I love scallops but have never cooked them at home. This looks absolutely delicious! I mean bacon, avocado and scallops… what could be better.

    Reply
    • Michele says

      November 6, 2015 at 4:58 pm

      It’s a great combo, and so easy!

      Reply
  16. Holly Holmes says

    July 2, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    5 stars
    This was one of the easiest & most delicious salads I’ve had in a while! Great combination of flavors. I added cucumber & red onion, but other than that followed the recipe exactly. Truly scrumptious! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  17. Elvis says

    September 21, 2019 at 4:47 pm

    Nice recipe. The scallops look like shrimps. I like it.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 Healthy Salad Recipes to Kick Start Your New Years Resolution says:
    May 25, 2017 at 3:25 am

    […] Recipe & Photo by Paleo Running Momma […]

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