Scallop Ceviche

"What are dry scallops?" I asked Carl pointing to the sign next to large plump scallops. "Are you ready for the fish lesson of the week?" said Carl pulling a few scallops out of the fridge case and setting them in front of me. I have probably been to New Deal a hundred times, and I am yet to walk out with just fish. There is always some interesting lesson to take away as well. "When scallops are labeled 'dry,' it means that they haven't been soaked in sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) to prolong their life." Before you panic, let me clarify that STP is FDA approved and food safe so it’s not some dangerous chemical you are ingesting with your scallops. What is the problem then? The problem is, Carl explained, that soaking scallops in STP causes them to absorb water and get heavier. What does that mean to consumers? It means that you are partially paying for water. Water... the bells went off in my head -- so that's why there is a puddle of liquid in my pan sometimes when I try to sear scallops. Hmm, guess where I am getting my scallops next time I want to sear them?

The reason I was getting the scallops this weekend though was to make scallop ceviche. Ceviche is a popular Latin American appetizer of seafood cured in lime juice. The scallops will be only partially cooked, so make sure you buy them from a reputable source. You can dress this dish up by serving in it martini glasses, or just set a big colorful bowl in front of your guests and serve your scallops family style. The tart, sweet, and spicy notes make it a perfect match for a Riesling. On a hot summer day, there is nothing better than a bowl of cool scallops pillowy soft and sweet.

Serves 4-6 as the first course

3/4 Lb scallops
2/3 cup fresh lime juice (from 4-5 limes)
2/3 cup fresh orange juice (from 1-2 oranges)
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, and very finely minced
1/2 large red onion, very thinly sliced
1 mango, peeled and diced
6 medium radishes, very thinly sliced (use a mandolin if you have one)
1/4 cup minced cilantro or mint
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

1. Remove the tough muscle from the sides of the scallops. Slice scallops horizontally into 1/3 inch thick circles.
2. In a large non-reactive (glass or stainless steal) bowl, combine scallops, lime juice, orange juice, jalapeño, onions, mango, radishes, cilantro, and salt. Mix well.
   
3. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours stirring half way through. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve within 24 hours.
   

Variations: Besides mango and radishes (or instead of them), you can add sectioned oranges or grapefruits, thinly sliced sweet peppers and cucumbers, and even diced watermelon.