Stir-Fry

Thai-Style Scallops

by:
April 14, 2010
4
4 Ratings
  • Serves 1-2
Author Notes

This is one of my all-time favorite dishes...I could live on it (and I'm not really kidding). Try to find scallops that are ecologically harvested...it's not always easy, but it's important (esp. if you do eat them a lot). If you aren't a fan of spicy foods, I would add the chilies at the same time as you add the coconut milk, and make sure to de-seed them. If you do like spicy (like me), then don't seed them and wait to add them toward the end, with the bean sprouts. This recipe might serve two people, but I had no problem eating all of it myself. - WinnieAb —WinnieAb

Test Kitchen Notes

This dish comes together in minutes for a fresh, flavorful alternative to takeout. The balance of brown sugar to fish sauce to lime juice in the sauce is just right, and the small amount of full-fat coconut milk adds just enough richness without stifling the other flavors. If you find removing minced garlic from a hot wok tricky, consider using sliced garlic for the first step. Cooks who aren't fans of red bell pepper may want to substitute julienned carrots for color and crunch. - Kristen —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 pound scallops, preferably those that are sustainably harvested, rinsed and dried (cut in half, if very large)
  • 2 green onions/scallions, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, julienned
  • 2-3 Serrano chilies, minced (you can seed them if you don't want the dish to be very spicy, or leave one, two, or all unseeded)
  • 1/3 cup organic coconut milk (whole, not "lite")
  • 1/3 cup fish stock or chicken stock, preferably homemade (you can use water if you don't have any stock on hand)
  • 2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 large handful of mung bean sprouts
  • leaves from 2 heads of baby bok choy, chopped
  • 1 cup minced cilantro, plus more for garnish, if desired
Directions
  1. In a skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Add half of the garlic. Stir fry until it begins to brown, then remove and reserve.
  2. Add scallops to the wok. Let brown for 1 minute, then turn over and brown on other side for 1 minute. Remove and drain in a colander. Wipe out the pan.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to the wok. Add remaining garlic, plus the scallion, red pepper, chilies (unless you want to wait to add them with the bean sprouts), coconut milk, stock or water, fish sauce, lime juice and brown sugar. Stir to dissolve the brown sugar and bring to a boil.
  4. Add the scallops. Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes. Add the reserved garlic, bean sprouts, the bok choy and the cilantro and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
  5. Serve garnished with additional cilantro, if you like...this is wonderful on its own or over rice or rice noodles.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Richard Robson
    Richard Robson
  • jifferb
    jifferb
  • monkeymom
    monkeymom
  • Oui, Chef
    Oui, Chef
  • Lizthechef
    Lizthechef
I grew up in a restaurant family (my parents owned the now closed Quilted Giraffe in NYC) and I've always loved to cook. My interest in the connection between food and health led me to pursue a graduate degree in naturopathic medicine. I don't practice medicine anymore; I have a blog called Healthy Green Kitchen that I started in May of 2009 and I wrote a book called One Simple Change that will be published in January, 2014. I live in upstate New York with my family and many pets.

20 Reviews

Richard R. January 6, 2016
I just tried this recipe and thought it was great i added a few extra stir fry vegetable just to make it go round a bit easier as i have a family of healthy eaters. Big thumbs up all around.
 
Barbara January 26, 2014
Can you double this recipe?

 
thurston February 16, 2012
i just finished eating this dish. it was delightful! my girlfriend kept commenting on how all the flavors were so clean and bright. this is going into the rotation for sure! thanks, Winnie!
 
jifferb August 12, 2010
made this last night - deeeelicious! thanks WinnieAb!
 
monkeymom April 17, 2010
This looks wonderful. I love your recipes!
 
WinnieAb April 19, 2010
Thank you monkeymom...I love yours too!!!
 
Oui, C. April 15, 2010
Hey Winnie - I knew I could count on you to do something fresh and fabulous with scallops. I can't wait to try this dish soon. A beautiful dish and a lovely photo to boot.
 
WinnieAb April 15, 2010
Thank you Steve!
 
Lizthechef April 15, 2010
As soon as I get a new computer and resume my life, this is the recipe first on the list - looks SO good. Thumbs up!
 
WinnieAb April 15, 2010
Hope you try it...and like it!
 
lastnightsdinner April 15, 2010
This is absolutely gorgeous. I'm going to have to make this soon.
 
WinnieAb April 15, 2010
Thank you LND!
 
testkitchenette April 14, 2010
Oh my, looks and sounds delicious!
 
WinnieAb April 15, 2010
Thank you so much!
 
TasteFood April 14, 2010
Lovely flavors - and gorgeous photo!
 
WinnieAb April 15, 2010
Thank you thank you!
 
AntoniaJames April 14, 2010
Gorgeous! Love everything about this recipe. Mmmmmmmmmm!!!!
 
WinnieAb April 14, 2010
Thanks AntoniaJames! I believe it really does deserve all the m's!
 
Rivka April 14, 2010
looks amazing! beautiful pic, too...
 
WinnieAb April 14, 2010
Thank you!