This is Top Chef, It's Not Top Scallop!

~Fabio on Jamie's repeated use of Scallops in challenges

The title is one of my all time favorite Top Chef lines. I think anyone who watched Season 5 can appreciate that one. Contrary to popular opinion, I actually liked Jamie. I was initially routing for her! But how many times can one cook scallops? Only Fabio could call her out in the best / funniest way possible. Love Fabio. Then again, who didn't love that guy?

Hold the phone. Didn't I cook scallops last week?! Well, I am not in a Top Chef competition. Anything goes. In Jamie, Fabio and the Season 7 premiere's honor I made a Top Scallop dish from my Top Chef: The Quickfire Cookbook.

 Scallops with Jasmine Rice Risotto. 

-1 cup Jasmine Rice

-2 cups coconut milk

-8 shitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced

-1 mango, peeled, pitted and diced

-1 tbsp thinly sliced fresh mint

-1 tbsp thinly sliced fresh basil

-8 sea scallops

-salt

-cayenne pepper

-1 tsp olive oil for frying

1. In a medium dry saucepan over medium heat, lightly toast the rice. Add the coconut milk, stir, and cover. Bring to a slow boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook the rice until creamy, about 15 minutes.
[This is the rice and coconut milk in the very beginning stages. I ended up adding about 1/2 cup of water to the mix around minute seven. At that point all the milk was absorbed and my rice wasn't yet at the texture it needed to be. I feared it would stick to the pan.]
2. Season the scallops with salt and cayenne pepper. In a large pan over medium high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the scallops and sear for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side.

3. Remove the rice from heat, then stir in the mushrooms, mango, the 1 tablespoon mint, and the 1 tablespoon basil.

That's literally all it takes. So easy!

Sweet and juicy bursts of mangoes within the thick creamy coconut rice created a winning combination. It was refreshingly tropical at times. The earthy mushrooms, seared scallops and the subtle hints of mint and basil brought the dish together really nicely.
The mangoes were definitely my favorite ingredient. To me they really made the dish shine.
In case you missed the memo, Top Chef Season 7 Washington DC premieres tonight @ 9 pm on Bravo. I am so excited to watch!!