Why do HK restaurants' wok fried scallops stay big? My pan fried ones at home shrink!
In Toronto Canada, I've bought different BIG, raw scallop species like at Whole Foods Market. They are big like HK restaurants'. After I add oil to pan on cook top and stir fry them, they shrink. Why? See photos –
Now see HK restaurants' wok fried scallops Jade Scallops – 西蘭花炒帶子 in Chinese. Top to bottom – House of Canton in Kowloon Tong (first photo beneath),Ming Kee Restaurant in Wan Chai, 金龍冰室 in Tai Po 大埔, Joy Point Dim Sum in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Best Answer
Regarding the scallops shrinking, it could simply be the difference in dry vs. wet scallops. Most grocery stores sell wet scallops. At times, dry scallops can be quite hard to find at retail. Wet scallops naturally shrink because of the loss of so much moisture when cooking.
Also, the higher the heat and longer the cook time, the more the moisture is lost.
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Quick Answer about "Why do HK restaurants' wok fried scallops stay big? My pan fried ones at home shrink!"
Wet scallops naturally shrink because of the loss of so much moisture when cooking. Also, the higher the heat and longer the cook time, the more the moisture is lost. They may also be starting with larger scallops too.Why do my scallops always stick to the pan?
Most likely, you're not heating your pan enough before placing the scallops in. Without knowing your exact method it's hard to say what's going wrong, but 1-2 tbsp of oil should be enough for a normal amount of scallops.What is the best oil to cook scallops in?
What type of oil should you use to cook scallops? A light, neutral oil with a high smoke point. Extra virgin olive oil will begin to smoke immediately over high heat. Instead, reach for grapeseed oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.Can you cook scallops in a frying pan?
Preheat a pan over a high heat and add a tbsp of oil. Pat dry scallops with kitchen paper and season well. Add the scallops to the pan flat side down and cook until golden brown, this will take 2-3 minutes. Dont move the scallops around in the pan as this will prevent them from cooking.How do you make scallops not watery?
Put a scallop on a paper towel on a plate in the microwave, and microwave it for 15 seconds. If they're dry scallops, there'll be very little moisture released on the paper towel.Hong Kong’s Iconic Jumbo Floating Restaurant Sinks At Sea
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Images: Klaus Nielsen, Kamaji Ogino, Klaus Nielsen, Klaus Nielsen