
This recipe for Scallops with Golden Romesco Sauce and Black Rice will make you just say, “WOW” before you even taste it!! With the bright yellow Romesco contrasting with the deep rich color of the rice and beautiful seared sea scallops, you will be mesmerized visually and through the flavor of this incredible dish!
We absolutely love scallops and have been looking for more inventive ways to incorporate them into dishes without sacrificing what truly makes them shine: their flavor. To maintain that delicious scallop flavor, searing them in the smallest amount of butter or oil is the best way. And serving perfectly seared scallops with this beautiful and delicious sauce along with some black rice is exactly what we had in mind!
What is Romesco Sauce?
Romesco is a beautiful sauce of Spanish origin and often paired with seafood and/or vegetables. Honestly, it works with almost anything you can think of! The flavor base of roasted tomato and roasted bell pepper join with the subtle flavors from toasted almonds, garlic, paprika, vinegar, and a bit of spice.

Most often the acidic component is vinegar and usually it is of the sherry or red wine variety. But we chose to use white wine vinegar so as not to compromise the visual aspect of the finished Romesco. The flavor is as stunning as the visual presentation!
Preparing the Scallops
The scallops are prepared in a way to give a nice sear while not being overcooked. Overcooked scallops can really ruin the dish and you won’t get that delicate sweetness that makes scallops so amazing.
Many beautifully seared scallops have disappointed when I’ve realized they were tortured in a cast-iron skillet for 6 minutes and then kept warm in an oven or under a heat lamp! So sad! If scallops were chicken thighs, I’d still be ordering them in restaurants, but 165° scallops are not enjoyable. Because scallops don’t have to be piping hot when eaten to be enjoyed, just focus on the cook and you’ll be rewarded!
For more info on picking out good scallops from the store and achieving that perfect sear, read our post on Perfectly Seared Scallops.
Black (or purple) Rice
The final touch is a beautiful black rice. Black (or purple) rice can be found in many specialty stores and even regular grocery stores now throughout North America. This rice has a nice, complex flavor and has been cultivated for… let’s just say a VERY LONG time throughout Asia. In many parts of Asia, including China and India, it may be more common and easier to find than it has been in North America. But we can find it fairly easily in regular grocery stores in Texas now.
If you haven’t had black rice before, the texture and taste are worth trying it out. Not to mention the stunning presentation when paired with certain vibrant foods, like this golden Romesco.
Enjoy!
We hope you enjoy this recipe for Scallops with Golden Romesco Sauce and Black Rice. If you give it a try, leave us a comment below and tell us your thoughts!
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