Quick Summary: Pan-seared scallops with a fennel crust served over creamy lemon orzo with capers. Impressive enough for date night, quick enough for a weeknight. Orzo gives you the texture of a classic risotto without the fuss. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 20 min | Serves: 4
Jump to: RECIPE | Orzo vs Risotto | Tips for Perfect Scallops | Substitutions | Step by Step for Scallop Orzo Dinner | FAQ
This is one of my go-to dinners when I want something elegant and impressive but don’t have much time. Pan-seared scallops with a fennel crust are served on a bed of creamy lemon orzo with capers. The whole thing comes together in just over 30 minutes, and unlike risotto, the orzo doesn’t require constant stirring. I make this for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any night I want restaurant-quality at home.
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What Is Orzo and How Is It Different from Risotto?
Orzo
Orzo is a small, rice-shaped Italian pasta (it means barley in Italian). I love cooking with orzo and often prefer it over rice. It cooks quickly, soaks up seasonings and flavored broths, and has a wonderful texture.
I use this orzo that I get on Amazon primarily as a bed for different proteins, with my favorite protein being fish or seafood. It is also a great addition to soups and salads, however.
Some cooks will toast orzo before adding it to a broth to pull out more flavor.
Orzo is typically used as an “addition” to a Mediterranean dish. Examples might include using orzo as a bed for fish (recipe below), as an addition to soup, or as a toasted addition to salads.
Risotto
Risotto is made with a short-grain rice called Arborio. It can be an intimidating dish for cooks because it typically requires a lot of stirring or hands-on time to get it just right.
“Perfect” creamy risotto is slow-cooked in a broth until it is al dente. It is typically cooked by first caramelizing onions and then simmering the Arborio rice with the onions, broth, wine, butter, and often parmesan.
Risotto is traditionally served as a porridge-like savory dish, often as a side dish that stands alone.
Did you know? Risotto originated in Italy and remains a classic Italian dish, while many dishes of the broader Mediterranean region incorporate orzo.
How Do You Sear Scallops Perfectly?
Scallops are fairly expensive and you don’t want to mess them up. Many home cooks are intimidated by cooking seafood and tend to eat scallops primarily in restaurants, but with a few key tips to keep in mind you can cook them anxiety-free.
Here are the key tips when cooking scallops:
- Chances are you’ll be using frozen scallops. This is fine, but they will be quite wet. Drain them, and then place them on a tray with paper towels. Pat them as dry as possible with paper towels. Repeat the process several times until they are as dry as absolutely possible. If you have the time, get them even drier by chilling them in the refrigerator after patting them dry, for two hours, and then let them stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Season one side of the scallops with salt and a spice. This will give you a sear that has some golden brown color to it. I have used salt and ground fennel or smoked paprika to great success.
- Heat an oiled skillet or pan until it’s sizzling or smoking. If you don’t know when it is sizzling, drop a tiny bit of water on the skillet and you’ll hear the sizzle immediately. The first scallop should sizzle as soon as it is placed in the oil. If not, then wait a little bit longer to add the other scallops
- Use a large skillet or pan to avoid overcrowding, or cook in batches. They should be at least 1 inch apart in the skillet.
- Place the scallops in a pan seasoned side down and sear them without moving them for about 2 minutes on the seasoned side. Turn over with tongs and cook another 1-2 minutes or until the side is no longer translucent. Done!
Tip: How do you know when scallops are done? I have had great success with 2 minutes on the seasoned side and 1 minute after turning over, but the real test is opaqueness. When they are no longer translucent, they are done.
Ingredients and Substitutions
All of the ingredients for this recipe are readily available. The key to making this dinner perfect is to follow the cooking method for the scallops.
Here are a few of the substitutions that you could use to customize the dish to your preferences:
- Seasoning: I like the pairing of ground fennel with scallops. Smoked paprika is my second choice of seasoning. Any rub of your choice will work, but be sure to add some salt and ground spice to get that golden-brown sear
- Orzo: As mentioned above the typical substitution for creamy orzo would be a creamy risotto. Other small pasta that would work might include acini or even alphabet pasta for a fun take on an elegant dish.
- Capers: Capers add a briny bold taste to the orzo. You could use green olives instead but it won’t be quite as tangy.
- Stock: Feel free to add vegetable broth or just water if that is your preference. You just need some liquid to develop the creaminess of the orzo.
- Wine: Wine can be omitted if desired. You might want to add a touch of vinegar or a little more lemon juice to replace the wine.
How to Make Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo (Step by Step)
Here are the steps lined out with photos. For the details of the recipe itself, see the recipe card below.
More Scallop Recipes
Scallops can be part of so many delicious dishes. Some of my family’s favorites include:
- Grilled Scallops with Tomato Jam over Cheese Polenta. Easy-to-follow recipe and so delicious!
- For a slow carb version of a scallop dinner, try this fennel-crusted scallop dinner with creamed spinach
For a truly unique way to make scallops, try this Seared Scallops with Grapefruit Butter
FAQ
Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and doesn’t require constant stirring. Risotto is made with Arborio rice and needs more hands-on time to achieve its creamy texture. Both give you a similar texture, but orzo is easier.
Dry them thoroughly. This is the most important step. Season one side, heat oil until smoking, and don’t move them for 2 minutes. They’re done when opaque, not translucent.
Yes. Thaw completely, drain, and pat very dry with paper towels. If you have time, chill them uncovered for 2 hours after drying, then bring to room temperature before cooking.
Ground fennel gives a subtle anise flavor that pairs beautifully with scallops. Smoked paprika is another good option. Both give you that golden-brown crust.
Yes. Add a splash of vinegar or extra lemon juice to replace the acidity.
No. Orzo is pasta. For a slow carb scallop dinner, try the fennel-crusted scallops with creamed spinach instead.
For 40+ recipes that focus on fish, check out this comprehensive seafood category.
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Seared Scallops with Lemon Caper Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 pound large scallops thoroughly dried
- 2 tablespoons ground fennel or other rub
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons oil refined olive oil or oil with high smoke point
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup orzo
- ½ cup white wine
- 2 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon salt optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons capers
Instructions
- Prepare scallops: pat scallops dry with paper towels (repeat drying process until thoroughly dry) and if you have the time chill them for 2 hours to dry further (bring to room temp before searing).After drying scallops, season with salt and preferred seasoning rub.1 pound large scallops, 2 tablespoons ground fennel, 2 teaspoons salt
- Heat oil in large skillet until smoking. Add first scallop seasoned side down to skillet. If it sizzles, add the rest of the scallops clockwise, about 1” apart.Cook for 2 minutes or until crust forms (it will come away from the pan easily). Starting with first scallop you put in, use tongs to turn each scallop individually, moving clockwiseBy the time you get all the scallops turned over the first ones are most likely done. When they are opaque rather than translucent they are done.Remove to a plate, tent with foil to keep warm.2 tablespoons oil
- Once the scallops are removed, add a little more oil to the skillet and cook onion for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic and orzo and toast orzo about 2 minutes. Add wine and cook another minute or so to evaporate wine.1 tablespoon oil, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 cup orzo, 1/2 cup white wine
- Add chicken stock and simmer over medium heat about 15 minutes for al dente. Taste and adjust for salt.When orzo is texture you prefer, turn off heat and add lemon zest, lemon juice and capers and stir all together.Serve orzo on a plate topped with 4-5 scallops. Garnish with parsley if desired.2 1/2 cups chicken stock, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons capers
perfect!thanks
So happy it worked out well for you. “Perfect” is music to my ears. Thank you for commenting.
loved it! amazing flavour
Very happy you liked it! Thank you for commenting…much appreciated.
Great recipe and easy to prepare. The scallops were cooked perfect and the lemon orzo was delicious, definitely less fuss than risotto.
Thanks for the comment Lori! Scallops are expensive these days so I try to make sure the recipe is fail-proof. I too liked the ease of lemon orzo over risotto.