🍽️ Asparagus With Scallops, Browned Butter, and Prosciutto 🍽️
Overview:
Asparagus with Scallops, Browned Butter, and Prosciutto is a delicious and elegant dish that combines the earthy flavors of asparagus with the richness of scallops, the nuttiness of browned butter, and the savory depth of prosciutto. It’s a perfect choice for a special occasion or a gourmet dinner.
History:
This dish is a modern creation, likely emerging from contemporary culinary trends that favor combining diverse textures and flavors. While each component of this dish has a long culinary history, their combination in this specific recipe might not have a deep historical background.
Components:
- Asparagus: Fresh, tender asparagus spears are the base of the dish. They provide a slightly crisp texture and a mild, vegetal flavor.
- Scallops: Scallops are sweet and delicate seafood, adding a luxurious element to the dish. Use large, dry scallops for the best results.
- Browned Butter: Browned butter is made by heating butter until its milk solids turn brown. It adds a rich, nutty flavor to the dish.
- Prosciutto: This thinly sliced Italian ham is cured and air-dried, offering a salty and savory note to balance the sweetness of the scallops and the asparagus.
Steps to Prepare:
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Prepare the Asparagus: Trim the tough ends of the asparagus. You can blanch them in boiling water for a minute or two, then transfer them to an ice water bath to stop the cooking. Alternatively, you can sauté them in a pan with a bit of olive oil until they’re tender-crisp.
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Cook the Scallops: Pat dry the scallops and season them with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Sear the scallops for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they are nicely browned and opaque in the center.
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Make Browned Butter: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Allow it to bubble and foam, then turn golden brown. Swirl the pan to ensure even browning. Once it reaches the desired color and has a nutty aroma, remove it from the heat.
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Assemble: On each plate, arrange the blanched or sautéed asparagus. Top with the seared scallops. Drizzle the browned butter over the dish.
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Garnish: Tear or slice the prosciutto into strips and scatter them over the scallops and asparagus.
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Serve: Serve your creation immediately, garnished with fresh herbs like chives or parsley and a drizzle of lemon juice for a burst of freshness.
Time Needed:
- Preparing the asparagus: 10-15 minutes.
- Cooking scallops: 6-8 minutes.
- Making browned butter: 5-7 minutes.
- Assembling and garnishing: 5 minutes.
In total, you can prepare this dish in approximately 25-35 minutes. It’s an excellent choice when you want to impress your guests with a gourmet meal that doesn’t take all night to prepare. Enjoy your culinary journey! 🍴🍷😄
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for the dish “Asparagus With Scallops, Browned Butter, and Prosciutto”:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values per Serving):
- Calories: About 350-400 calories per serving, depending on portion sizes and ingredients used.
- Protein: Approximately 25-30 grams of protein per serving, mainly from scallops.
- Carbohydrates: Around 5-10 grams of carbohydrates per serving, primarily from asparagus.
- Fats: Approximately 25-30 grams of fat per serving, with most of it coming from the browned butter and some from prosciutto.
- Fiber: 2-3 grams of dietary fiber per serving from asparagus.
- Sugars: Minimal sugar content, typically less than 2 grams per serving.
- Sodium: Around 700-900 mg of sodium per serving, largely from prosciutto and any added salt.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Asparagus is a good source of vitamins A, C, K, and folate. Scallops provide essential minerals like selenium and vitamin B12. Prosciutto contains a significant amount of sodium.
Health Information:
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Asparagus: Asparagus is low in calories and a good source of dietary fiber, which can support digestive health. It’s rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin K and folate, and provides antioxidants like vitamin C.
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Scallops: Scallops are a lean source of protein and are particularly rich in vitamin B12, which is important for nerve health. They also provide minerals like selenium, which has antioxidant properties.
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Browned Butter: While browned butter adds a delightful flavor, it is high in saturated fats, which should be consumed in moderation. Be mindful of portion sizes.
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Prosciutto: Prosciutto is a highly processed meat product and can be high in salt and saturated fats. Consuming it in moderation is advisable for those watching their sodium and fat intake.
Overall, this dish can be a flavorful and nutritious choice, especially due to the presence of asparagus and scallops. However, the fat and sodium content can be relatively high, so it’s essential to enjoy it as part of a balanced diet and to be aware of portion sizes, especially if you have specific dietary considerations or health concerns.
