Grapefruit is one of my favorite accent flavors.
No, not just with vodka…
I’ve done a lot of breakfast recipes with grapefruit, but I decided to go savory with this one.
It may sound strange, but after seeing similar items on a few menus around town I decided to create a grapefruit and scallop dish. And oh man, was it good!
All too often people think of grapefruit as a tart fruit. I actually find them pleasantly sweet! The trip to finding a good one it to give ’em a sniff. Your nose won’t lead you astray; if it smells sweet, good chance the grapefruit ripe.
Don’t mind the stares from fellow grocery shoppers as you sniff. They’re just jealous you have the secret.
My favorite part about this recipe is that it came together as a group effort. Vegas and I talked about using avocado in it, but they were rock solid at the grocery. I asked the guy at the fish counter what he thought about other pairings and he suggested pesto. Right on, fish dude.
The pesto was just the right rich-yet-savory add to make the salty scallops and the sweet red grapefruit POP.
This doesn’t event make into account the texture. Those little juicy bits of grapefruit pulp popped with every bite.
Between that, the smooth pesto, and the buttery scallops… it was like a party in my mouth.
[Tweet “Sea Scallops with Grapefruit and Pesto – a healthy, flavorful dinner!”]
Seared Sea Scallops with Grapefruit & Pesto
- 1 red grapefruit
- 3 T red onion, diced
- 2 T packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 12 sea scallops (about 1 pound)
- 2 T lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 T extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 T pesto
Using a very sharp paring knife, peel the grapefruits, carefully removing all of the bitter white pith. Carefully cut in between the membranes to release the grapefruit sections into a bowl. Be sure to cut over the bowl to catch all the grapefruit juice! Stir in parsley leaves and season with pepper.
Pat the sea scallops dry. Drizzle them with lemon juice and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper, if desired. In a large nonstick skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil until it is shimmering. Sear on one side over medium-high heat until deeply caramelized (~ 3 mins). Flip over and cook for another minute or so. Do not overcook!
Spoon the grapefruit segments onto small plates over lettuce. Place the scallops around the salad. Drizzle with olive oil and pesto and serve.
Makes 2 servings.
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
***
Thanks for all the support over my NASCAR experience. I’ve made sure to remind Vegas I’m the best wife ever. 😉
Are you a grapefruit fan?
What is our favorite sweet and savory combo?
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
They’re jealous that you CAN smell! Haha love scallops.
Laura says
At least until allergy season gets going. LOL!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
This is the second pesto dish I’ve seen this morning, and all this flavors and pictures are making me crave spring time food. The 70 degree weather doesn’t hurt either. Now if I only I could pair it with a vodka cocktail. 🙂
Laura says
Soon. Very soon. Have I ever told you about the caprese martini i had once? Basil vodka and tomato water. Amazing.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
My thing about grapefruit is that it is either AWESOME or meh. I don’t really care for grapefruit juice, but I do love a really juice segment. I had one of my favorite salads (sharing sweet potato fries and chicken fingers with Alex, #balance) the other day, and it has avocado, kale, grapefruit, hearts of palm, and pine nuts, and it was just what I needed.
Laura says
That’s why you have to smell them! It really works. I do it with oranges, apples, and melons too.
Also, I want that salad.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I like WHITE grapefruit which actually is sweeter, but normal…it’s just a bit to tart and bitter!
Laura says
Really? I have it in my head that I don’t like them as much, but it’s been years since I’ve had one. I’ll have to try it again!
glenneth says
i would have never thought to put grapefruit with scallops! saving this recipe to try! thank you!
Laura says
Thanks! I’d love to hear what you think if you do try it!
Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy says
I love Texas red grapefruit! This definitely is an interesting combo! One of these days I will cook scallop successfully, probably just gotta learn the right way! I am down for sweet and savory whatever on a menu 🙂
Laura says
I think my biggest problem in the past was overcooking them. Now that I’ve done it a few times I can just touch the top and tell… like with a steak.
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
YUMMMM I love scallops, but my mom hates them and makes horrible faces every time I eat them. I haven’t had grapefruit since leaving FL either…wonder if it will be as tasty!
Rosey Rebecca says
Wow, I don’t eat seafood but this looks wonderful! I love grapefruit in things aside from vodka too, haha! Unrelated: I love your nail color in that grapefruit peeling pic. 🙂
Laura says
Thanks! Do you do tofu? I bet it would be really good with that in place of the scallop.
Thank you. 🙂
Kate says
Grapefruit has the added benefit of looking beautiful too.
Laura says
That’s the truth! I love a colorful plate.
Smitha @ Runningw ith SD Mom says
Love the vibrant colors in this dish!
Laura says
Thank you! Mom always told me to eat the rainbow. 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
grapefruits are amazing! What an interesting combo I love it
Laura says
Thanks! I think it would be really good with tofu too for a vegetarian sub. 🙂 I also used the vegan hemp seed pesto at WF and LOVED it.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Boy does that sound good! I’m in Florida, so grapefruit makes sense to me! Pinned…
Laura says
Thanks! I’m right there with you on the citrus in Cali. 🙂
jill conyers says
I love adding citrus fruits to salads. The flavors are great with balsamic dressings. And pesto too!
Laura says
Agreed! Have you ever had citrus roasted in balsamic? SO good!
lindsay says
i love grapefruit flavor but i hate eating it. Weird I know. This i would love.. you know this.
Laura says
LOL! No judgement. It would be good with blood orange too!
Emily @SinfulNutrition says
You had me at scallops and pesto. So so good! If they weren’t so darn expensive, I would chow down on scallops more often.
Erica @ Erica Finds says
I love this combo! I pinned it to make for friends. The Husband is allergic to scallops 🙁 I might try with another white fish.
Laura says
Thanks! I think any fish would work – or even chicken!
Sylvia says
This sounds amazing. I just picked up a bag of grapefruits this morning and this would be delish to make for dinner one day this week.
Laura says
Thanks! I’d love to hear if you try it! 🙂
Mary says
I’m a huge fan of grapefruits. We had a grapefruit tree growing up. My grandfather would fill numerous bags and take them home with him. He looked 50 when he was 80 and always said his secret was grapefruits, he had one every day and he swore it kept his skin tight. This recipe looks pretty awesome, I would never think to pair grapefruits with scallops.
Laura says
Annnnnf I’m off to buy a lifetime supply of grapefruit. LOL!
GiGi Eats says
RIght now I am sitting in a hotel room and all I can think about is how much I want SCALLOPS right now – ha!
Laura says
Maybe a Featza is in order?
GiGi Eats says
Mash up a whole bunch of FISH and make a crust?? MAN You and I have a ton of recipe we need to make together LOL!
Laura says
Totally. Like a giant salmon patty. Topped with salmon skin and edamame. SAVE THIS FOR MY GIGI VIDEO DEBUT!!!
GiGi Eats says
I pretty much just fainted over how friggin’ AMAZING THIS WILL BE!!!! IT IS HAPPENING. We need to get this scheduled – are you traveling at all over the next 2 months??
Laura says
Thailand in April, but here after that!
Allie says
I recently had grapefruit in fish tacos and it was amazing! I would never have thought to use it. Another brilliant recipe! Plus, pesto is just fantastic so I would make this just for that.
Laura says
Ohhhh… tacos are a great idea too!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I’ve never cooked scallops before! This sounds like a good way to pop the scallop cherry!
PS- you are today the best wife ever for enduring NASCAR!
Laura says
I hadn’t either until like 2 years ago. They aren’t hard; the only thing is you have to make SURE you don’t overcook them. That’s when they get all nasty and chewy.
P.S. Thanks. I read this out load to Vegas. 🙂