Scallop Cakes with Cilantro Lime Mayonnaise

Try this unique recipe with those sweet and succulent scallops.

Serves 4

 

What you’ll need:

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 pounds sea scallops

½ cup chopped fresh chives

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

1 Tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger

1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 large egg, beaten to blend

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon grated lime peel

¾ teaspoon ground black pepper

2 Tablespoons peanut oil

whole fresh chives

Fresh cilantro sprigs

 

Cilantro Lime Mayonnaise:

1 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves

3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 garlic clove, peeled

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce

¾ cup mayonnaise

 

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add onion and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes.  Cool.
2. Place scallops in a food processor.  Using on/off turns, coarsely chop scallops. Take care not to overprocess. Transfer scallops to a large bowl.
3. Stir in cooked onion, chopped chives, parsley, flour, ginger, lime juice, egg, salt, lime peel and pepper.
4. Form scallop mixture into 8, 0ne-inch thick patties, each about 3 to 3½ inches in diameter.  Place scallop cakes on a baking sheet.  Cover and chill for 1 hour. (Can be prepared up to 6 hours ahead).
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
6. Heat peanut oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Working in batches, add scallop cakes to skillet and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side.
7. Transfer cakes to baking sheet. Place in oven and bake until cooked through about 7 minutes.
8. When ready to serve, plate 2 scallop patties on each plate. Serve with Cilantro-Lime Mayonnaise.

 

Cilantro Lime Mayo

1. To make mayonnaise, blend first 5 ingredients in a processor until cilantro is finely chopped. Add mayonnaise and process just to blend.  Season with salt and pepper.
2. Serve scallop cakes by spooning a small amount of the cilantro-lime mayonnaise onto the serving plate and attractively setting the cakes along side.  Scatter 2 or three pieces of fresh chives, about 3 inches long and serve along with simple buttered new potatoes with chives and parsley.  Add a lime wedge, and you have a wonderful meal!