Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram I was in the shower this morning when I heard Charlotte bang on the door over my music that was playing. That was somehow the first moment I heard the incredibly loud blaring of our house alarm. Oh no! Why did someone have to break into our house while I’m naked?? And then my second thought was, oh, one of the kids must have gone outside, and I forgot to disarm the house (the usual cause of our alarm going off). Whew, no robber, just a kid! How dare they walk outside?? (As if that were a crime.) But I asked Charlotte who went outside, and she pointed at the wide open window in my bathroom, which I had just opened, which of course set off the alarm. Eric is always the one to disarm the house in the morning. How can I be expected to remember these things when he’s gone?? Usually when he goes out of town the kids and I fend for ourselves in the kitchen too. I have a hard time being motivated to cook when there’s not another adult around. I mean, kids like sandwiches, right? So do I! There, dinner’s done in 10 minutes and no food battles. But this time we were eating like kings, because I wanted to try out a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner for you! Have you ever had scallops before? I wanted to try making scallops because they just seem so perfect for a sexy dinner for two. For starters, they are crazy expensive (like $20/lb where I live) so that right there makes this special-occasion food. (It’s still cheaper to make them at home than get them in a restaurant though, trust me.) On top of that it is SUPER fast and easy to make pan seared scallops, which means it would be really fun to cook these together in the kitchen on a date. Plus, and most importantly, pan seared scallops are AMAZING. You will not believe how tender, soft, and buttery they are if you have never made them at home. The outside is seared to a beautiful golden crisp, and the inside just melts in your mouth. Dousing it in creamy wine sauce and sprinkling with bacon just puts it over the top.
If you’re not a fan of scallops or can’t find any locally, substitute shrimp! Buy jumbo unpeeled raw shrimp. You can peel them before or after cooking them. For the wine, you can choose Sherry cooking wine (or white cooking wine), your favorite white wine, or champagne. If you are using cooking wine and not champagne, consider adding a splash of champagne vinegar for extra complex flavor. Don’t like seafood? Leave it out altogether and double the bacon. Switch up the pasta. If you don’t have linguine, it’s perfectly fine to use any long pasta–think spaghetti, fettuccine, or even angel hair.
2 – Once you thaw them completely according to package instructions, take a minute to remove the side muscle from each scallop. Just slide it off with your finger, it should be quite obvious. It’s easy to do and only takes a second. Sometimes the side muscle falls off on its own and you don’t need to worry about it. They are just a little tough, so we don’t want them in our final dish. 3 – Once your scallops are prepped and ready, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and pan sear in some super hot bacon grease. Bacon grease just makes everything better, what can I say? Plus you will already have it from the bacon that you already crumbled. YES BACON. I’m telling you guys, it’s a winning combination. I also added a tablespoon of champagne vinegar to bring in even more of that flavor. It’s an expensive ingredient, and it’s optional, especially if you are using real champagne and not cooking wine. I already had some in my cupboard, but if you don’t see yourself using it again, you can skip it (champagne vinegar does make a really mean salad dressing though). 5 – Once the scallops are seared and the champagne sauce is ready, all you have to do is boil up some pasta and toss in a few handfuls of spinach to wilt at the end. I love the color and texture it adds. Plus, adding spinach means this creamy pasta is totally healthy, right?? What are you guys doing for Valentine’s Day? Going out or staying in? We always celebrate as a family, and then Eric and I go out later when the restaurants aren’t so insanely crowded. But I think we will schedule a date night in with these pan seared scallops, and maybe follow it up with a Bob Ross session. Have you guys ever done an at-home paint night? We are not very talented painters (like, at all) but it is kind of fun to buy canvases and follow along making happy little trees!
Sides
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter « because browned butter makes everything better. Apple Gorgonzola Salad (Buca di Beppo) « ever had this restaurant favorite? It’s a crisp and juicy side for your seafood pasta. 10-Minute Sauteed Zucchini and Squash « so easy to throw together while you’re cooking pasta. Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing « you just can’t deny the romance that strawberries add to a fancy meal. Pistachio-Pear Cucumber Salad « the kids wouldn’t appreciate this. That’s why it’s all for the two of you, you lovebirds.
Desserts
Classic Strawberry Shortcake « heaps of sweet strawberries and fresh whipped cream on buttery sweet from-scratch biscuits. I mean. Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries « the perfect light dessert (or heck, appetizer). The Best Chocolate Cake « so rich, so moist. A chocolate lover’s paradise. Flourless Chocolate Cake with Ganache « no gluten, no problem. Even if you aren’t gluten free this is an insanely decadent showstopper. Oreo Truffles « oh, you thought buying your lover chocolates was impressive? Try making them. Now we’re talking. You definitely cannot freeze this recipe. The sauce won’t stay together, the scallops and pasta will be mushy, the bacon will be limp instead of crispy…don’t do it. Creamy Tuscan Salmon (30 Minute Dinner!) « Restaurant quality, but super easy to make. Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken with Asparagus « This is a classic. We love this meal. (also hello low carb!) Easy Caramelized Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella « this feels so fancy and it’s SOOOO easy. Would be fun to make together on a date. Lemon Garlic Steamed Mussels from Mama Loves Food Healthy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles from Well Plated Easy Scallop Scampi from A Spicy Perspective
