Monday I played Chopped because I was too lazy to go to the grocery store. To my surprise, the age-old saying that “there’s food at home,” is actually true. A friend gave me fresh basil and I remembered that I had scallops from Costco in the freezer (I do not have a Costco Membership).

A good ol’ Google Search of “what pairs well with scallops,” and I found out that pasta does. This meal took about 20 minutes tops and is very yummy. Scallops hasn’t always been my cup of tea because I was afraid to try them but then I realized that they pretty much take on the flavor of whatever you cook them with.

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The things that were actually in my house: 

This made one personal serving.

Frozen Scallops (I used 7 and only ate 6 because this meal is filling)
Olive Oil (just enough to coat the pan don’t get carried away)
Cajun Seasoning
Old Bay
Butter
Lemon Juice
Salt
Pepper

Dry Wine (I used Franzia Chardonnay) 
Angel Hair Pasta or any noodle pasta
1/2 Diced Jalapeno Pepper
1/4 Diced Red Pepper
Teaspoon of Garlic
1/2 cup of Diced Tomatoes
Fresh Basil to Taste (I used about two stems of basil)

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How I Did It:

• Thaw and pat dry your scallops. They need to be as dry as possible to get a decent browning
• Season the scallops with Cajun Seasoning, Old Bay, Salt, and Pepper on both sides. Scallops don’t really taste like anything they’re mild and take on the flavor of whatever you season it with. I use mostly Cajun, salt, pepper, and Old Bay
• Put enough Olive Oil to coat your pan and place it on medium-high
• Once the frying pan is hot place scallops in the pan and let them sear for about 4 minutes per side and then flip once golden brown

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• Add about 2 tablespoons of butter and spoon the butter on the scallops until butter is fully melted
• Add about one tablespoons of wine and let cook for four minutes
• Remove Scallops from pan
• Add jalapeno peppers, garlic, diced tomatoes, red peppers, and basil to the pan the scallops were in as that’s all good flavor
• Cook the veggies until they are tender

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Now It’s Time to Plate

• Place the noodles in your bowl or plate
• Then add the veggie mixture
• Then add the scallops on top

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Enjoy your very happy variety of ingredients. I should probably play Chopped more often. This experiment is serious proof that there actually is food at home most of the time. Now to clean my kitchen.

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