Happiest Mom on the Blog: 5 Star Jalapeno Scallops

I have been very busy the past month with PTO activities, hosting a Euchre tournament at our house with friends and running the princesses to their activities. January has also been one of the snowiest and coldest winters since we have moved to Michigan. But tonight I had to put everything else on hold and tell you about my new favorite recipe. I subscribed to the new "All Recipes" magazine and this recipe for Seared Scallops with Jalapeno Vinaigrette definitely paid for the subscription. I however made some modifications to make it even better. We have eaten scallops at 4 and 5 star restaurants and these are by far the best that we have ever had. I especially liked them, because they didn't have a lot of salt in them, like the restaurants add to their sauces. I do not like the vinaigrette put on the scallops at the end as the recipe instructs you to do. This is how I made it. (Yes, Mom. I will make it for you the next time we see you.) I apologize for my horrible photo, but I took it right before I ate the last scallop.

Ingredients:
1 Jalapeno unseeded and chopped
1/4 cup of rice vinegar
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 teaspoon of yellow mustard
dash of salt and pepper

12 Large sea scallops
dash of salt
dash of cayenne pepper
1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil

Puree the Jalapeno, rice vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and dash of salt and pepper in a blender for 1-2 minutes.
Pat dry the scallops with a paper towel before seasoning. Sprinkle the scallops with salt and cayenne pepper.
Pour 1 Tablespoon of Vegetable oil and approximately 1 Tablespoon of jalapeno vinaigrette in a large skillet. Heat oil and vinaigrette to medium-high heat. Place scallops in skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until slightly brown.

I served the scallops with a side of steamed broccoli, homemade french bread from the prairie homestead and a salad of spring greens and spinach.

I saved the left over Jalapeno vinaigrette and I plan on using the same process above to make a white fish like mahi mahi or sea bass for Valentine's Day. I can't wait until Friday.