By now you all know that I'm passionate about my seafood, from the people who fish for it, how it's caught, where to buy it, and, most importantly of all, the cooking and the enjoyment of eating it
I do however also believe, rightly or wrongly, there's something particularly romantic and exciting when finding and eating fantastic seafood by the sea
I've been extremely lucky in my colourful and sometimes chaotic life to have eaten some great seafood, from my first Mussels in Paris, Squid aged 10 in Florence Italy, Fish Lip Soup in a Chinese Restaurant in Manchester, to my very first Oysters in Oban Scotland
I love Scotland, the people, the culture, the great open spaces, the food, the whisky!!! And of course the seafood, The one place I've always returned to is Oban, I love it dearly for many many reasons, one of those reasons is I know I'll always be able to eat great seafood in Oban
This recipe I'm going to share with you guys is one I ate in a restaurant many years ago while on holiday in Oban, it's quite simple I suppose really, but works fantastically well, The Scallops are grilled in their shells, I love the smell that the hot shells give off, something rather satisfying I think, and it's what makes this dish, and a method I try to use whenever possible
GRILLED SCALLOPS WITH CORIANDER BUTTER
This recipe will serve 4 people
SHOPPING LIST
16 scallops in their shells ( ask your fishmonger to do this for you)
50g melted butter
Some salt and pepper
40g hazelnuts
100g soft butter
Good handful of fresh coriander
Half handful of chopped flat leaf parsley
1 shallot finely chopped
Good squeeze of lemon
METHOD
Toast the hazelnuts on a baking sheet until golden brown
Place them in a food processor along with the butter, coriander, parsley, shallot, lemon juice, salt and pepper and blitz until well mixed
Heat your grill until it's at its hottest
Brush each scallop with the melted butter and grill for 2 minutes
Spoon a small amount of the coriander butter on each and grill again for another 1 1/2 minutes
Serve immediately
These are fantastic as a dinner party starter or supper
You'll really enjoy these, give them a try and let me know what you think