Soba With Grilled Asparagus And Sea Scallops With Sweet Miso Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Trim asparagus, then cut stems into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices, leaving tips whole.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté asparagus, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate, reserving skillet off heat (do not clean).
• Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté half of scallops, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer scallops with tongs to another plate as cooked.
• Wipe out skillet with paper towels, then add remaining tablespoon oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Sauté remaining scallops, turning over once, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total, transferring to plate. (Do not wipe out skillet after second batch.)
• Carefully add wine and vinegar to skillet (mixture may spatter) and boil, scraping up brown bits, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons, about 1 minute. Add any scallop juices accumulated on plate and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated.
• Add asparagus and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Serve scallops topped with asparagus and sauce.

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill until very hot. Brush the grill with a little oil and position the grill grate 3 to 4 inches from the heat.
• Whisk together the miso and mirin or sake; season to taste with pepper.
• Thread the scallops through their equators onto metal or soaked wooden skewers and brush them all over with vegetable oil. Grill scallops until they're browned and release easily from the grill, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• When they're almost done, brush on both sides with the miso mixture, and continue to cook, turning once or twice, until the glaze caramelizes a bit and the scallops are done. Take the scallops off the grill before the interior becomes totally opaque.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, whisk miso, mirin, vinegar, canola oil, ginger and garlic in a meadium bowl. Add scallops and stir gently to coat. Let marinate for 5 minutes (scallops will begin to break down if marinated longer). Using a slotted spoon, remove scallops, reserving the marinade for the sauce.
• Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallops and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate an cover with foil to keep warm. Add the marinade to the pan and cook over medium-high heat until brown, about 1 minute. Pour the sauce over the noodles, add scallions and toss to coat. Top with scallops and serve immediately.
• INGREDIENT NOTES:.
• MISO: Fermented bean paste made from barley, rice or soybeans used in Japanese cooking to add flavor to dishes such as soups, sauces and salad dressings. A little goes a long way because of its concentrated, salty taste. Miso is available in different colors, depending on the type of grain or bean and how long it's been fermented. In general, the lighter the color, the more mild the flavor. It will keep, in the refrigerator, for more than a year.
• MIRIN: A low-alcohol rice wine essential to Japanese cooking. Look for it in the Asian or gourmet-ingredients section of your supermarket. An equal portion of sherry or white wine with a pinch of sugar may be substituted for mirin.
• I prefer cooking with "dry" sea scallops (scallops that have not been treated with sodium triplyphosphate, or STP). Scallops that have been treated with STP ("wet" scallops) have been subjected to a chemical bath and are not only mushy and less flavorful, but will not brown properly.

Steps:

• Whisk water and mustard in small bowl until smooth. Combine miso, vinegar, mirin, sugar and soy sauce in small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk in mustard mixture. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Rewarm over low heat before using.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush fish and green onions with oil. Sprinkle both with salt and pepper. Grill fish until opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side. Grill onions until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer fish and onions to 4 plates. Spread sauce atop fish. Sprinkle sesame seeds over sauce and serve.
• *Available at Japanese markets and natural foods stores and in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets.
• **Mirin is available at Japanese markets and in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets.