Pan Seared Scallops in Honey Citrus Balsamic Reduction in a salad with 6 superfoods plus mandarin oranges, golden raisins, and beets makes a healthy, sweet, and satisfying meal that’s gluten and grain free and incredibly delicious!
March is National Nutrition month and that makes me very happy! Not that I really need permission to go wild with my greens, but it’s always nice to be validated in your passions, right?
The first thing I will say, is, balsamic, I’ve missed you. Whenever I think about salads, and, particularly beets (which almost always NEED to be in my salads) I think of sweet and tangy balsamic reductions. They’re a bit dangerous for me, because I could literally drink them if I don’t properly contain myself, but a delicious balsamic reduction is so worth the risk.
I’m definitely a bit sidetracked now, so let’s go back. The second thing I’ll say, is that I had some much- loved and appreciated help with this recipe – from Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits! Each salad kit comes complete with everything you need, BUT there is lots of room to be creative with each salad kit to make it fit your personal definition of a healthy, delicious, satisfying meal.
Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits are chef-inspired salad kits that offer sophisticated blends of five or more superfoods and include everything needed for a delicious salad! For those of us looking for innovative, convenient and healthy options that make our busy lives just a bit easier, they are absolutely perfect.
For my scallops in honey citrus balsamic I worked with the Beets and Greens salad kit, which, for a beet lover like me, was pretty awesome.
Eat Smart Beets and Greens Salad Kit is a combination of six superfoods with perfectly cooked beets (100%!), kale, beet greens, red chard, red cabbage and broccoli, topped with golden raisins and feta cheese. It also comes with a white wine vinaigrette which I omitted in favor of the balsamic reduction for this recipe.
There are 7 total varieties of the Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits – you can get all the info plus sign up for the e-blast on their website! Also like them on Facebook for product updates and info on where to buy.
Scallops in Honey Citrus Balsamic with Superfood Salad
Scallops in Honey Citrus Balsamic with Superfood Salad
Ingredients
- 4-6 sea scallops
- 1-2 tbsp coconut oil for searing
- sea salt
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kit - Beets and Greens {kit contains the greens golden raisins, cooked and cubed beets, and feta cheese)
- 1 mandarin orange peeled and sectioned
Instructions
First, make the balsamic reduction:
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In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, orange juice and honey over low-med heat, stirring. Bring the mixture to a simmer and continue to cook, stirring to make sure it doesn't burn, until it's reduced by about half, thickened, and sticky-sweet. Remove from heat, set aside and allow to cool.
Next, sear the scallops:
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Pat your scallops dry with paper towel, and heat a large skillet over med-hi heat, then add the coconut oil.
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Lightly sprinkle the scallops with sea salt before searing. When the oil is heated (just as it smokes), add the scallops to the pan and cook on each side about 2-3 minutes, until opaque, carefully flipping halfway through. The outside should appear light to golden brown. Remove from pan once done and set aside while you arrange the salad.
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To arrange the salad, empty the greens into a large bowl and top with the beets, raisins, mandarin orange segments, seared scallops and feta cheese if using.
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Carefully drizzle on the cooled balsamic reduction, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Are you a fan of salad kits for making meal prep easier?
How do you get creative with your salads?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
March 8, 2016 at 5:59 amI’m not a fan of scallops, but I love the idea of these salad kits and the balsamic dressing! Anything to make meal time easier, right?
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:55 pmI was sold on the roasted beets. Plus raisins and feta and it’s a fancy salad kit!
The Cookie ChRUNicles says
March 8, 2016 at 6:26 amI actually liked scallops (I never ate any sort of fish until was at least 30) but then had a severe reaction to calamari which is in same shellfish category as scallops so I wont go near them anymore. such a shame! I have to make this balsamic reduction and I have a new container of oj in the house! lol but still no cherry juice for your bbq sauce.
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:57 pmI love balsamic reduction on everything and once I make it I get a little addicted. Shellfish allergies are no joke that’s pretty scary!
Mel_OutRunCF says
March 8, 2016 at 6:39 amDear Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits, Please ship Beets and Greens salad kits to Canada lol There are only three varieties available in my area right now. I buy the sweet kale every week! This scallops salad looks delicious. I’ve added scallops to my grocery list 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:55 pmLove the mix of greens in this one and the beets are pretty awesome, since we all know cooking beets is…annoying 🙂 I bet this one will be by you soon!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
March 8, 2016 at 7:07 amI haven’t had scallops in forever. They’re my favorite, but really hard to find! Genius for adding them too a salad.
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:54 pmI love them on salads! I hadn’t had them in way too long.
SuzLyfe says
March 8, 2016 at 7:41 amScallops, beets, citrus, hell to the yes. I haven’t used a salad kit in years–I don’t find much sense in them because I never use the dressings that they provide anymore, and half of the time they are totally dried out or have ingredients that I don’t want. But we LIVED on them when I was a kid!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:53 pmI have to say this one impressed me with the cooked beets, raisins, and feta, all fresh! I don’t love packaged dressings though and never have.
Lesq says
March 8, 2016 at 8:34 amI had jumbo sea scallops Saturday evening prepared with sautéed shredded Brussels sprouts, greens and butternut squash with a warm wine reduction–kind of similar. Your recipe will be served for dinner REAL soon.
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:52 pmI’ve been into brussels sprouts lately, that sounds so good 🙂
Polyglot Jot says
March 8, 2016 at 9:10 amI love salad kits for quick weenight meals or lunches to take to work–it always helps when you’re busy! This looks great though–ive never seen this brand of kits–they seem healthier than some of the other kits filled with who knows what!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:51 pmThis is the first time I’ve seen a salad kit with roasted root veggies! One of the others includes sweet potatoes, very cool 🙂
cottercrunch says
March 8, 2016 at 9:22 amhow come I’ve never heard of these salads? NEED! but more importantly, i need those scallops. you know this. 😉
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:51 pmLet’s just say it had been way too long since I had scallops! Went so well with the salad 🙂
bucketlisttummy says
March 8, 2016 at 9:41 amYUM. This looks absolutely delicious. I loveee scallops and beets, and basically everything in this salad!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:50 pmTwo of my favorites as well, and I’ve gotten lazy about cooking beets so it was perfect!
renaissancerunnergirl says
March 8, 2016 at 10:38 amLove scallops, can’t do citrus (in fact just had an allergic reaction this weekend :/). I’m thinking a beet and apple version though…
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:49 pmOh no, I’d definitely miss mandarins 🙁 Apples would be good though, I love apples with salad and also strawberries. FYI the reduction can be made without the OJ by adding a touch more honey 🙂
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
March 8, 2016 at 11:27 amOhhhh I love the scallops and beets combo! I don’t use salad kits because I can be a control freak on the weirdest things, but I’ve also never seen salad kits that look as good as this!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:48 pmI was sold on the cooked beets that came with it – can’t beat beets lol!
Sam says
March 8, 2016 at 11:56 amCan you suggest a balsamic vinegar that you like? I have been looking for one that I could use as a dressing as well as to roast vegetables. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:47 pmHonestly I mainly use it to make reductions so I’m not too picky about which one I get! I think there’s a huge variation in price/quality/thickness/flavor so it’s tough for me to recommend one. I always check out amazon though since they always have the best reviews!
Marisa @ Mindful Slices says
March 8, 2016 at 12:14 pmThose scallops look amazing and the combination sounds delicious. Salad kits are nice for busy nights. These Eat Smart ones would be especially nice because they have prepared beets! Preparing beets is not my favorite thing.
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:39 pmI was very impressed by the already prepared beets and the little packet was really easy to open 🙂
Jenn - a traveling Wife says
March 8, 2016 at 1:43 pmGosh, I haven’t had scallops in such a long time – I am well over due. Also, these salads look amazing!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:39 pmHonestly I hadn’t had them in way too long but the salad inspired me to cook some! Love scallops over a good salad 🙂
littlechefbigappetite says
March 8, 2016 at 7:37 pmThis looks incredible and your photos are stunning!
Michele says
March 9, 2016 at 9:38 pmThank you so much!
nurselaurel says
February 18, 2018 at 8:12 pmSo easy and tasty!!! Didn’t have these salad kits so bought some pre-cooked beets, a container of mixed super greens, and feta; had some golden raisins in the cupboard. What I really like about Michele’s recipes is they taste elegant but are quite simple to prepare. I have to follow a paleo diet for health reasons and she makes it easier and actually fun! Oh, and my hubby likes them too;-)
Michele says
February 20, 2018 at 3:30 pmI’m thrilled you enjoyed this!