There could not be a meal more fresh and delicious than this!
My second son is almost a year old, which seems absolutely insane. I remember those first seven weeks of his life when it literally felt like time was standing still. He refused to sleep during the day during that span of time, so I found myself walking a million laps a day around our home with him in my arms while also trying to care for a crazy 3-year-old. It was a stressful time, and I vividly recall thinking that time would never march on from that point. I felt like I would be walking laps to the soundtrack of wailing (toddler and newborn) forever.
And now it is almost a year later and it’s hard to believe it’s almost a year later! Time is so strange in that way, isn’t it? You wish something away and then it goes by way too quickly.
One thing that hasn’t gone too quickly, though, is the last 5 to 7 pounds of baby weight I’ve been carrying for the past nine months. I realize that 5 to 7 pounds is not a huge deal, but when you are stubborn and refuse to buy new clothes it kind of matters. So. As we near the one-year mark of the birth of our beautiful second son, I am buckling down. I am making even more of an effort than usual to prepare healthy meals and avoid unhealthy foods.
I came up with this creation on the fly the other night. It was another beautiful evening, so I stationed my husband at the grill with the seafood while I put the rest of the meal together in the kitchen. We both loved it.
Grilled Scallops with Quinoa and Fresh Veggies
Ingredients
- 8-10 sea scallops
- 3 tbsp. butter melted
- 1 cup quinoa prepared according to package directions
- 1 large tomato diced
- 1 green or red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 large cucumber peeled and diced
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 2 cloves garlic very finely minced
- Juice from 1 lime
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak the sea scallops in the butter for 20 minutes, turning occasionally to coat. Meanwhile, cook the quinoa according to package directions.
- In a medium bowl, combine the tomato, red or green bell pepper, cucumber, corn, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes and salt & pepper.
- Remove the scallops from the butter and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Cook scallops on a grill over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Serve quinoa, vegetables and scallops together.
Nutrition
I think I may try green onions instead of the corn! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi there, tried this recipe and it turned out deliciously! Absolutely scrumptious. Thanks for inspiring a practicing teen cook!
Pictures of my results: http://whiskful-thinkin.blogspot.com/2011/09/butter-seared-scallops-with-quinoa-and.html
Thanks again!
Christine
delicious colourful presentation
Such a healthy a colorful dish…looks wonderful! I know what you mean about time it is sometimes an odd thing. My boys are less that 2 years apart so I remember those day clearly 🙂
What a beautiful dish. The color is lovely with all those veggies. I don't think it counts as buckling down when a dish comes out this pretty. 😉
Wow, all three of my favorite foods in this recipe: Grilled scallops with quinoa and fresh veggies. Really enjoying this post and my taste buds crave this meal now 🙂
The Souper
Beautiful dish, I love all of the colors!
That is genius – I have never thought about grilling scallops! I am doing this asap! Your dish looks so fresh, healthy … ready for me to eat it up!
This just brings back memories of when my daughter and son (born 2 yrs. 9 mos. apart) were your sons age. Can't believe I survived that. Would you believe me if I say that I miss those times? The baby is now nearly 16 yrs. old. Time does fly. You are doing so well, having cooked this fabulous dish. How delicious and healthy.
I like the quinoa mix you made! I'm with you in the weight loss boat (but I didnt have a baby so I dont have an excuse!!). It doesnt help I bought candied bacon today either… LOL
this looks like complete perfection. YUM! Loveee scallops.
I think I have been afraid of scallops, like they were too fancy to really do at home…especially on a week night. But now I am totally inspired! I love that this was on the fly, and it looks beautiful!
(read this is a very quiet whisper voice) pssst….you may want to cut out the corn to help you lose that few extra pounds.
(Now with a normal voice) Those scallops look good, I mentioned in a post earlier this week on my blog that I'm kind of afraid of cooking fish and seafood. These look good enough that I think I may have to face my fear again.