Fav#4 SCALLOPS!!!
Written by Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD // January 9, 2010 // Health, Nutrition, Recipes // 12 Comments
Can I get a WOO—WOO for one of my FAVORITE mollusks!?! SCALLOPS YAY!
Not to be dramatic or anything … BUT, when all is said and done and this tender shellfish is dished up, your tongue is in for a sweet surprise! The protein packed flesh of this lil’ seafood item is tender and delicate with a subtle hint of sweetness. If you’ve sworn off seafood for whatever reason, I suggest you give scallops a chance. Many who despise seafood actually dig the scallop.
Their AWESOMENESS Revealed
- Packed with protein to give your cells and tissues the power to turnover and rejuvenate themselves as well as maintain and rebuild muscle, especially after a tough weight-bearing workout!
- Brimming with Vitamin B12 to help maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells
AND make DNA! - Punched with phosphorus—helping maintain dem healthy bones and teeth, contract muscles, keep your heart beatin’, kidney’s functioning, and nerves transmitting AND make ATP (think back to chemistry—ew … I feel ya!—this is the molecule your body “eats” up to make ENERGY!).
- Magnified with magnesium to keep your muscles and nerves functioning, heart rhythm steady, bones strong, blood pressure normal, and immune system fighting! Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body! So, I’m obviously only giving you the brief!
- Powered with potassium to help maintain normal blood pressure and keep your heart, smooth muscle, and nervous system up to gear. AND, help your muscles contract and release so you can SWEAT. IT. UP.
- Oomphed-up with Omega-3s to keep your heart health in-check and cardiovascular system strong! Omega-3s have shown to help lower triglycerides, increase HDL cholesterol (a good thing!), and may help decrease high blood pressure. Omega-3s may also help protect against Alzheimer’s disease!!!
- Only about 140 calories per 4 ounces!
Why Else They’re AWESOME
As you can see, these lil’ doo-dads are beaming with nutrition goodness! But, what’s also so lovely about them is that they’re available year round. Fresh bay and sea scallops are in season from October to March (buy ‘em up now!!!), but thanks to the freezer section they’re also available throughout the year.
Plus, they’re a quick cook! Literally, they cook in minutes! They only need searing for about 1.5- 2 minutes on each side, and you definitely want to watch that because any longer and they may become a tad chewy! But, they’ll still be good—trust me—just not as good.
Dishing ‘Em Up!
Basically, you’d make sure they’re super dry, heat a sauté pan with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, salt the scallops to taste, add them one by one to the pan, cook them for about 1.5-2 minutes on each side, and SERVE!
Scallops are an awesome addition to any salad, a great appetizer, or just a FAB protein addition to any meal. Personally, I LOVE ‘em with sautéed mushrooms and couscous!
Not Sure YOU Can Cook the Perfect Scallops?
Just watch this video and you’ll be set!
Happy Healthifying!
What do you like to eat SCALLOPS with?
I say goodbye to fad diets, bogus "fat-burning" pills, and processed, non-food food. And, I smile hello to a healthifying lifestyle full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, sweaty workouts, the occasional "chocolate fix," sleep, family and friend time, and quality "me time" with a focus on health. I look forward to your comments and thoughts as the posts healthify on by!
12 Comments on " Fav#4 SCALLOPS!!! "
beautiful picture! i had no idea those little white spheres were such nutritional powerhouses!
Scallops are my favorite mollusk too
I love them! Whenever I can, I order them. I have never made them on my own though, as Nick isn’t a fan, but I will one day. Thanks for the great video, and fantastic health information!
I really had no idea scallops were so good for you. I have a love-hate with the mollusk. Sometimes the texture turns me off. But if they’re done crispy on the outside I can handle the weird squish of the inside. I like the flavor, though. Since they’re so nutritious, I might try harder to get used to them. Thanks!
Scallops are my favorite. They’re fabulous in a salad with spinach, dried cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese. They’re also good fried and dipped in tarter sauce of course!
yumm! i didnt know how healthy these were! i want some now.. havent had them in FOREVER
now I want to go to The Daily Catch and get me some!! so delicious! : )
Thanks for posting this! I order scallops frequently at restaurants but have never cooked them myself. I did not realize how easy it is to cook them
Wow, thats great information to know, Corinne! I am going to cook up some yummy scallops tonight! thanks for the healthifying tip
My favorite mollusk, too! LOVE them! So important not to over-cook, but they’re so low in calories and packed with protein like you said. MMMMM! I eat them by themselves…they’re enough to savor just themselves!
Thanks for all the great info! I am not a big seafood eater so it always good to have a review of foods that I don’t often eat. They way you put it though, I just might have to give these a try. Thanks!
Scallops are one of my favorite foods.
Thanks for the great post – I learned so much about them!
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