Sweet Corn Salad with Seared Sea Scallops

Fresh Florida sweet corn is so versatile. Serve it boiled, steamed, or microwaved or in recipes like this Sweet Corn Salad with Seared Sea Scallops.

One of the signs that cold weather is behind us here in Georgia is the arrival of fresh, sweet corn in the grocery stores. Those delicious ears full of juicy kernels are a welcome sight after the long winter season.

Of course, everyone from the youngest to the oldest enjoys corn on the cob! Boiled sweet corn dripping with butter is a favorite for spring and summer cookouts.

But fresh sweet corn is so much more versatile. It’s perfect boiled, steamed, or microwaved and makes wonderful salads like this Sweet Corn Salad with Seared Sea Scallops.

Since much of the corn in our grocery stores comes from Florida, and because Florida has such a bounty of fresh seafood, pairing the two for this recipe just seemed like a natural fit. And scallops, with their sweet flavor and just a hint of the ocean, paired very well with the corn.

This corn salad is served warm with seared sea scallops on the side. It’s quite light with beautiful flavors.

The corn gives sweetness to the overall dish which is balanced with the bell pepper, scallions, and tomatoes. I think you’ll really enjoy this one!

How to Make Sweet Corn Salad with Seared Sea Scallops

Remove the husks and silks from the corn. Using a sharp knife, cut the kernels from the ear slicing close to but not into the cob.

Here’s a tip for removing the corn kernels from the cob

Invert a small bowl inside a larger bowl as shown in the photo. Stand the ear of corn on the small bowl and slice down so that the kernels fall into the larger bowl. You can also do this with a bundt pan using the center cone of the pan to stand the corn on.

Set the corn kernels aside.

Cut the bell pepper and scallions into small dice. Remove the seeds from the tomatoes and cut them into small dice.

In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter in the canola oil. Add the bell pepper and scallions and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are wilted.

Next, add the corn kernels, thyme, salt, and pepper and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Now add the diced tomato, cover the pan, and turn off the heat. Let the warm corn salad sit while preparing the scallops.

Remove the small muscle on the side of the scallops if you find any still attached.

Dry the scallops on several layers of paper towels. Salt and pepper the scallops on both sides.

Place the oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add the thyme (note: it will sizzle and pop). Stir the thyme around in the butter for just a few seconds and then push it to one side of the pan.

Add the scallops making sure they do not touch. Cook for about 2 minutes or until a nice sear develops. Turn the scallops and cook on the other side for 1 or 2 minutes.

Be very careful not to overcook the scallops. Repeat with remaining scallops until all are cooked.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.

To serve – mound some of the warm corn salad on a plate and top with several seared scallops. Drizzle with a small amount of the pan juices.

🧾 More Recipes You’ll Like

• Mexican Style Corn Salad
• Black Bean and Corn Salad
• Shrimp and Corn Chowder
• Curried Corn
• Baked Corn Casserole

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Sweet Corn Salad with Seared Sea Scallops

Fresh Florida sweet corn is so versatile. Serve it boiled, steamed, or microwaved or in recipes like this Sweet Corn Salad with Seared Sea Scallops.

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 244kcal

Author: Lana Stuart

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

For the corn salad:

• ▢ 4 ears Florida sweet corn
• ▢ 1 tablespoon canola oil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon butter
• ▢ ½ medium green bell pepper
• ▢ 2 scallions
• ▢ 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 small tomatoes (or 1 medium )

For the scallops:

• ▢ 16 sea scallops
• ▢ Salt and pepper
• ▢ 1 tablespoon canola oil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon butter
• ▢ 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• ▢ Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

• Remove the husks and silks from the corn. Using a sharp knife, cut the kernels from the ear slicing close to but not into the cob. Set aside. Cut the bell pepper and scallions into small dice. Remove the seeds from the tomatoes and cut into small dice.
• In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter in the canola oil. Add the bell pepper and scallions and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minute or until the vegetables are wilted. Add the corn kernels, thyme, salt, and pepper and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the diced tomato, cover the pan, and turn off the heat. Let the warm corn salad sit while preparing the scallops.
• Dry the scallops on several layers of paper towels. Be sure to remove the small muscle on the side of the scallops if you find any still attached. Salt and pepper the scallops on both sides.
• Place the oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add the thyme (note: it will sizzle and pop). Stir the thyme around in the butter for just a few seconds and then push it to one side of the pan. Add the scallops making sure they do not touch. Cook for about 2 or until a nice sear develops. Turn the scallops and cook on the other side for 1 or 2 minutes. Be very careful not to overcook the scallops. Repeat with remaining scallops until all are cooked.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
• To serve – mound some of the warm corn salad on a plate and top with several seared scallops. Drizzle with a small amount of the pan juices.

Notes

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 244kcal | Carbohydrates 22g | Protein 11g | Fat 14g | Saturated Fat 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat 3g | Monounsaturated Fat 6g | Trans Fat 1g | Cholesterol 29mg | Sodium 593mg | Potassium 501mg | Fiber 3g | Sugar 7g | Vitamin A 838IU | Vitamin C 27mg | Calcium 27mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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