How can I prevent gritty scallops?

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I made some scallops last night sous vide and before I put them in the bag I rinsed each one carefully and didn't see anything on them. After cooking and searing I tried them and there was a little grit which for me ruins any scallop or clam dish.

What can I do to make sure I don't waste my time with gritty scallops?

seafoodscallops


Best Answer

The most direct solution is: Better sourcing.

There is huge quality variation in most seafood. For scallops in my case (Canada), I found two good options:

  • The top brand (large expensive ones) from the big chain, frozen
  • Fresh, local, scallops from the fish market I trust

The option that is never acceptable:

  • small, mixed size, affordable frozen ones.

Typically, I go straight from the thawed bag, to colander, to the searing pan and never got any grit. At worse, I needed to trim the hard part of the scallops.



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Quick Answer about "How can I prevent gritty scallops?"

  • Rinse the scallops individually and very quickly under cold water. ...
  • Thoroughly pat scallops dry.
  • Wipe the skillet clean with a dry cloth before cooking to remove any small, hard-to-see particles from the pan surface.


    • Why are my scallops grainy?

    \u201cScallops live on the sandy, seafloor and like all bivalves filter water through their bodies. This is why sometimes you can find sand in the scallops,\u201d says Mike Lombardi, owner of Lombardi's Seafood in Winter Park. \u201cAlso, during shucking, small pieces of shell can remain attached to the meat.\u201d

    Why are cooked scallops gritty?

    Sandy scallops will deposit grit into the dishes they are cooked into. Nothing ruins the experience of enjoying the smooth texture of a quality scallop like a few grits of sand. Scallops purchased in or out of their shells may hold sand in the folds of the tender raw flesh.

    Are scallops supposed to be gritty?

    A: You should always rinse scallops thoroughly to remove grit, but there shouldn't be so much grit that you have to soak them. In fact, soaking isn't recommended because the scallops can absorb water and get soggy, less flavorful and difficult to sear properly.

    Should I soak scallops in salt water?

    Brining scallops in a salt solution helps to more deeply season them inside, not just on the surface while retaining moisture. They are very lean in protein with little fat. Without the insulation, there's a greater chance for them to become rubbery and dry.


    The Biggest Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Scallops



    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Brett Sayles, Brett Sayles, alleksana, alleksana

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