Best Soba With Grilled Asparagus And Sea Scallops With Sweet Miso Sauce Recipes

SCALLOPS WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim asparagus, then cut stems into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices, leaving tips whole.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté asparagus, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate, reserving skillet off heat (do not clean).
• Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté half of scallops, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer scallops with tongs to another plate as cooked.
• Wipe out skillet with paper towels, then add remaining tablespoon oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Sauté remaining scallops, turning over once, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total, transferring to plate. (Do not wipe out skillet after second batch.)
• Carefully add wine and vinegar to skillet (mixture may spatter) and boil, scraping up brown bits, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons, about 1 minute. Add any scallop juices accumulated on plate and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated.
• Add asparagus and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Serve scallops topped with asparagus and sauce.

SOY-GINGER GRILLED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Heat grill until very hot. In a bowl, combine lime juice, soy sauce, vinegar, peanut oil, and ginger; whisk to combine. Set aside.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil, and cook noodles until al dente, about 8 minutes. Place spinach in a colander in the sink, and drain noodles over spinach. Transfer the spinach and noodles to a bowl, and add 6 tablespoons ginger mixture and the scallions; toss to combine, and set aside.
• Place remaining ginger mixture in a large bowl; add mushrooms and scallops. Toss to coat. Place mushrooms on grill, smooth-sides up; cook until lightly browned. Turn over, and continue cooking until soft. Remove from grill, and slice into 1/4-inch-wide strips. Add to noodle salad, and place on serving platter. Place scallops on grill, and cook until opaque and firm, turning once halfway through cooking. Transfer to the serving platter with the noodles, and serve.

SOBA NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oven (or a toaster oven) to 300. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In another large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil; stir in the bonito flakes, turn off the heat and steep for 10 minutes, no more. Strain into a large bowl; discard the flakes.
• Put the soy sauce, mirin, sugar and a pinch of salt in the pot you used to make the broth; bring to a boil. Let it boil for a minute, then add the bonito stock; bring it back to a boil, and transfer 6 cups to a separate pot and keep hot. (This will be the broth for the soup; what remains is for cooking the eggs.) Toast the nori in the oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Cut into quarters and set aside. Crack the eggs into a bowl or a large measuring cup with a spout and beat until frothy.
• Cook the noodles in the boiling water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain, quickly rinse under cold running water and drain again. Put a portion of noodles into each of four soup bowls. Using a circular pouring motion, slowly stream the eggs, 1/3 at a time, into the smaller amount of boiling broth; as the first third sets, add the second; as the second sets, add the third, then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit for a minute. In the meantime ladle the stock (the one without the eggs in it) over the noodles. Use a slotted spoon to scoop a portion of the egg into each bowl, garnish with the nori and scallions and serve.

MISO-GLAZED GRILLED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill until very hot. Brush the grill with a little oil and position the grill grate 3 to 4 inches from the heat.
• Whisk together the miso and mirin or sake; season to taste with pepper.
• Thread the scallops through their equators onto metal or soaked wooden skewers and brush them all over with vegetable oil. Grill scallops until they're browned and release easily from the grill, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• When they're almost done, brush on both sides with the miso mixture, and continue to cook, turning once or twice, until the glaze caramelizes a bit and the scallops are done. Take the scallops off the grill before the interior becomes totally opaque.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions and serve immediately.