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Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

Name: Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted macadamia nut pieces; 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves; ½ cup chopped green onions; 3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 lemon, zested and juiced; ¾ cup macadamia nut oil, or more as needed; 1 pinch Kosher salt to taste; 4 tablespoons olive oil; 8 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, with skin; 16 large (U-10) scallops, tendon removed; 1 pinch kosher salt to taste

Rating: 4.27 stars

11 Ratings
9 Reviews
2 Photos

Try to get wild Alaskan king salmon if it's in season. But any salmon will do, just make sure it's fresh. However, if there are no good quality scallops available, just omit them.

By Ryan Nomura

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Recipe Summary

prep:

25 mins

cook:

15 mins

total:

40 mins

Servings:

Yield:

8 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Prepare macadamia-cilantro pesto by placing macadamia nuts, cilantro, green onion, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and macadamia nut oil into the bowl of a blender. Puree until smooth, adding more oil if needed; season to taste with kosher salt.

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Step 2

Heat two very large skillets over medium-high heat with two tablespoons of oil each until smoking. Season the salmon and scallops to taste with kosher salt. Sear salmon fillets, meat-side down, until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. Flip over, and cook on the skin-side 5 minutes to desired doneness. Place seared salmon onto serving plates, then sear the scallops until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Step 3

To serve, spoon some of the macadamia-cilantro pesto over the salmon, and garnish with two seared scallop pieces.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

530.3 calories; 39.4 g protein; 5.4 g carbohydrates; 90.2 mg cholesterol; 267.4 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (9)

Most helpful positive review

gibsey23

09/19/2008

I had very high hopes for this recipe because it sounded SO good and I followed it to a "T". I think this recipe should just be listed with the pesto on it's own. I think I would've liked the pesto better on another type of protein. Perhaps a seared beef on some orrechiette pasta. Really you could use the Pesto on anything. I would make a couple changes to it though. Unfortunately I couldn't find macadamia oil and I wish I had because I think it really is essential to this recipe. There was something about the raw taste of the garlic that I didn't enjoy (and I LOVE garlic)...next time maybe I would use garlic powder or roasted garlic. But overall Thanks for the recipe...it really was an amazing combination of flavors...so many flavors! Read More

Helpful

(17)

Most helpful critical review

msharp99

05/29/2012

The salmon tasted divine - yumm!! The pesto was over-powered by the lemon juice & zest so going to try it with only a squeeze of lemon juice next time. Read More

Helpful

(2)

11 Ratings

5 star values: 4
4 star values: 6
3 star values: 1
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

gibsey23

09/19/2008

Helpful

(17)

gibsey23

09/19/2008

Helpful

(17)

thedailygourmet

07/18/2011

I was hesitant about making a pesto that was not the traditional basil/parmesan pesto - but WOW this pesto was incredibly refreshing and delightful. I wanted the salmon to have more flavour so I added a pinch of black pepper thyme garlic powder and oregano before searing it. I used grapeseed oil instead of olive oil to sear the salmon and scallops b/c it has a higher smoke rate. I really enjoyed this recipe!!! I found that using a microplane grater w/ the ginger was extremely beneficial. Read More

Helpful

(12)

Hannah

03/16/2009

Pretty good! I made some changes - I used shrimp instead of scallops and served it all with linguine and halved cherry tomatoes. Read More

Helpful

(11)

David

04/03/2008

Very tasty fast and easy to make. The cilantro-maca pesto is a recipe worth knowing on its own. Read More

Helpful

(6)

mjcmcook

05/17/2008

This is a 'Winner' recipe! Read More

Helpful

(5)

DiamondGirl amanecer

01/02/2009

Very tasty. I didn t use ginger in the pesto and it was delicious too. I agree you may use this pesto on anything. Read More

Helpful

(5)

Karinda

12/14/2009

Used the pesto on salmon. Skipped the ginger and poached the garlic to cut the sharpness. Delicious! Would be great on many proteins or pasta. Read More

Helpful

(4)

patticakes43

03/12/2013

This salmon was flaky and flavorful. I seasoned with salt pepper and garlic powder. I couldn't get the large scallops so I used a bag of frozen mini scallops (thawed) instead. I just sauteed them in one of the pans with a little salt and garlic powder. Unfortunately I used up ingredients making the pesto because my family didn't like it at all but I think it was worth the try. Read More

Helpful

(2)

msharp99

05/29/2012

The salmon tasted divine - yumm!! The pesto was over-powered by the lemon juice & zest so going to try it with only a squeeze of lemon juice next time. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Back to Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

All Reviews for Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

- of Reviews

Nutritional Information

Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

Servings Per Recipe: 8
Calories: 530.3

% Daily Value *

protein: 79 %

carbohydrates: 2 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 7 %

sugars:

fat: 61 %

saturated fat: 33 %

cholesterol: 30 %

vitamin a iu: 13 %

niacin equivalents: 128 %

vitamin b6: 51 %

vitamin c: 26 %

folate: 7 %

calcium: 10 %

iron: 12 %

magnesium: 21 %

potassium: 22 %

sodium: 11 %

thiamin: 22 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

1 of 9

All Reviews

gibsey23

09/19/2008

Helpful

(17)

gibsey23

09/19/2008

Helpful

(17)

thedailygourmet

07/18/2011

Helpful

(12)

Hannah

03/16/2009

Pretty good! I made some changes - I used shrimp instead of scallops and served it all with linguine and halved cherry tomatoes.

Helpful

(11)

David

04/03/2008

Very tasty fast and easy to make. The cilantro-maca pesto is a recipe worth knowing on its own.

Helpful

(6)

mjcmcook

05/17/2008

This is a 'Winner' recipe!

Helpful

(5)

DiamondGirl amanecer

01/02/2009

Very tasty. I didn t use ginger in the pesto and it was delicious too. I agree you may use this pesto on anything.

Helpful

(5)

Karinda

12/14/2009

Used the pesto on salmon. Skipped the ginger and poached the garlic to cut the sharpness. Delicious! Would be great on many proteins or pasta.

Helpful

(4)

patticakes43

03/12/2013

Helpful

(2)

msharp99

05/29/2012

The salmon tasted divine - yumm!! The pesto was over-powered by the lemon juice & zest so going to try it with only a squeeze of lemon juice next time.

Helpful

(2)

1 of 2 Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

thedailygourmet

2 of 2 Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

Bondade Capoeira AZ

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Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

Reviews (9)

Most helpful positive review

Most helpful critical review

All Reviews for Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

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Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

Reviews (9)

Most helpful positive review

Most helpful critical review

All Reviews for Pan Seared Salmon and Scallops with Macadamia-Cilantro Pesto