CAJUN SCALLOP QUINOA BOWLS

EAF1FE5C-F340-4AA1-B06F-A40B58752B43_1_201_a

Gluten-free|Ragin Cajun|Salad|Seafood

C2E64AA0-7A1D-4EA4-A46B-F9852D032FEC_1_201_a

A137FE79-4313-412C-B821-F18EF9F0A301_1_201_a

Ingredients

The Quinoa:

1 cup raw quinoa

2 cups chicken stock

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed

The Scallops:

1-pound sea scallops

2 teaspoons Dish off the Block Ragin’ Cajun Spice Blend

1 tablespoon olive oil

The Bowl:

1-2 avocados, pitted, shell removed, and sliced

1-pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half or quartered if large

1 English cucumber, chopped

1 cup frozen corn, thawed to room temp (or microwaved to warm)

1, 15.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

The Dressing:

½ cup olive oil

¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Dish off the Block Ragin’ Cajun Spice Blend

Instructions

Combine the quinoa and chicken stock in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until all liquid is absorbed and the little ‘germ’ has popped out of the seed. Let sit for 10 minutes and then, fluff the quinoa with a fork and mix in the salt, pepper, parsley, basil, and lemon juice. Set aside until ready to serve.

Place the scallops on paper towels and blot dry. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the scallops and gently roll the scallops in the seasoning with your hands until they are all evenly coated.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When the pan is very hot (a drop of water will bubble up in the oil), add the scallops in a single layer and let sear about 1-2 minutes (depending on size) per side until caramelized and golden. They should still be translucent in the center and just cooked through. Set aside and tent with foil to keep warm until ready to serve.

To assemble the bowls, place about ¾ cup of the quinoa on one side of the bowl and layer in ¼ cup each of the remaining ingredients around the bowl – avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, and black beans. Season each bowl with the salt and pepper and top with 4-5 scallops.

To make the dressing combine all of the ingredients in a jar and shake until combined and emulsified.

Pour the dressing over the salads to desired taste. Any remaining dressing can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.