Zesty Southwest Scallop Lettuce Wraps
These delightful Zesty Southwest Scallop Lettuce Wraps are the perfect appetizer for any occasion. Fresh bay scallops, sautéed to perfection with aromatic garlic and toasted pine nuts, are combined with the rich flavors of ancho chile, bright green onion, and fragrant cilantro, all finished with a splash of lime juice and a hint of brown sugar for balance. Served in crisp bibb lettuce cups, these wraps are not only incredibly delicious but also visually appealing — a hit at parties and gatherings!
8
Servings
40
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
cooking oil
2 tablespoons (none)
garlic cloves
3 cloves (finely chopped)
fresh bay scallops
1/2 lb (none)
pine nuts
1/4 cup (toasted)
bibb lettuce
1 head (leaves separated into cups)
dried ancho chile
1 (rehydrated and finely chopped)
green onion
1 (minced)
cilantro
1/4 cup (minced)
fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons (none)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
Instructions
1
Heat a 12-inch sauté pan over high heat until very hot. Add cooking oil and finely chopped garlic to the pan, and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
2
Add the fresh bay scallops to the pan and stir continuously until they turn opaque and white, about 1 minute.
3
Remove the scallops from the pan and transfer them to a bowl. Refrigerate until chilled.
4
While the scallops are chilling, carefully separate the leaves of the bibb lettuce, forming small cups.
5
Place the dried ancho chile in a small bowl and cover it with boiling water. Let it sit for 30 minutes to rehydrate.
6
After 30 minutes, remove the ancho chile from the water, discard the seeds, and finely chop the flesh.
7
In a separate bowl, combine the chopped ancho chile with minced green onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and brown sugar. Mix well to create a flavorful dressing.
8
Once the scallops are chilled, gently fold them into the chile mixture until well combined.
9
To serve, spoon the scallop mixture into the prepared lettuce cups or arrange it in a serving bowl surrounded by the lettuce cups for a self-serve option.
10
Enjoy the refreshing and vibrant flavors with your friends and family!
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
3g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Southwest Scallop Lettuce Wraps?
They are a fresh and vibrant appetizer featuring bay scallops sautéed with garlic and pine nuts, mixed with a dressing of ancho chile, lime, and cilantro, served in bibb lettuce cups.
What type of scallops should I use?
This recipe calls for 1/2 lb of fresh bay scallops.
How long do the scallops need to cook?
The scallops should be sautéed for approximately 1 minute until they turn opaque and white.
What kind of lettuce is best for these wraps?
One head of bibb lettuce is recommended, with the leaves carefully separated into small cups.
How do I prepare the dried ancho chile?
Cover the dried ancho chile with boiling water for 30 minutes to rehydrate it, then remove the seeds and finely chop the flesh.
Are these scallop lettuce wraps healthy?
Yes, they are tagged as healthy and are low in calories and fat.
Is this recipe lactose-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally lactose-free.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What are the calorie counts for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 40 calories.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 2.5 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 2 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in one wrap?
There are 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
Each serving contains 1 gram of sugar.
What size pan should I use for the scallops?
A 12-inch sauté pan is recommended for cooking the scallops over high heat.
How should the garlic be prepared?
Use 3 cloves of garlic that have been finely chopped.
Do I serve the scallops hot or cold?
The scallops should be refrigerated after cooking and served chilled.
What goes into the dressing?
The dressing is made of chopped ancho chile, minced green onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and brown sugar.
How do I incorporate the pine nuts?
The 1/4 cup of pine nuts should be toasted and combined with the scallop mixture.
What kind of oil should be used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
How much lime juice is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
What is the purpose of the brown sugar?
Two tablespoons of brown sugar are added to the dressing to provide a hint of balance to the zesty flavors.
How should the cilantro be prepared?
You need 1/4 cup of cilantro that has been minced.
Is there a specific way to prepare the green onion?
One green onion should be minced and added to the dressing mixture.
Can I serve this as a self-serve option?
Yes, you can arrange the scallop mixture in a serving bowl surrounded by lettuce cups for guests to serve themselves.
What flavor profile does this dish have?
It features Southwest flavors, combining spicy ancho chile, bright lime, and aromatic cilantro.
Is this a good party food?
Yes, it is specifically described as a visually appealing hit for parties and gatherings.
What is the first step in cooking?
Heat a 12-inch sauté pan over high heat until very hot, then add oil and garlic.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients in this recipe.
What category does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as an appetizer and seafood dish.
Are the scallops cooked continuously?
Yes, you should stir the scallops continuously for about 1 minute until they turn opaque.