Scallops with Roasted Chestnut Soup
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During the Holidays, we entertain a lot and I like to serve semi-formal dinners which most of the time, is a 6-course meal. There’s hors d’oeuvres, soup, appetizer, salad, main course and dessert. When it comes to soup, I’m very picky… I want something elegant. It can be a nice Lobster Bisque, French Onion Soup Gratinée, Cream of Mushroom, Butternut Squash or this featured one… Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup!
 
This recipe which I created years ago is always a hit! It’s so delicious with a nice combination of ingredients. It’s elegant and refined… perfect for the Holidays! Another bonus about this soup is it’s quick and easy to make. From start to finish in just half an hour, you have a gorgeous soup to serve to your guests…
 
I love scallops! These are my top favorites although I won’t say no to lobster, crab, mussels, oysters, clams, escargots, and so on. Scallops are not only considered one of the healthiest seafoods but they’re also so tasty! They’re rich in vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and have a low fat content as well.
 
As soon as I see chestnuts at my supermarket, I think of this Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup. This is a favorite during Thanksgiving and all the way to January as long as I can find fresh chestnuts in the stores as they’re an important component for this recipe.
 
Chestnuts are typically available only for a few months during the year; from October to December which put them into the “holiday tradition” category. Cooking with them is awesome! Their sweet nutty flavor gives any savory or sweet dish a lovely taste especially when they’re roasted! If you’ve never prepped fresh chestnuts before, here’s a link to learn how… How to Roast Chestnuts in the Oven
 
Flavorful, elegant and easy to make, this Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup is perfect for any special occasion! If you’re hosting a dinner party this month, spoil your foody friends and family members with this delicious soup… they’ll love it!
Bon Appétit!
 
Here are several more incredible soup recipes for you to enjoy…
West Coast Smoked Salmon Chowder
Cream of Celery Soup
Bay Scallop Chowder
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Corn Chowder
Italian Wedding Soup
Avgolemono Chicken Soup
and for even more elegant recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Elegant Cuisine
 

 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
 

Scallops with Roasted Chestnut Soup

Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup

This Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup is a quick, easy and flavorful recipe perfect for the Holidays! It’s an elegant appetizer to enjoy!
5 from 1 vote
Servings 4

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Passive Time 0 minutes

Ingredients
  

SOUP

  • 1 tbsp. butter tips & tricks
  • 1 tbsp. bacon fat Footnote
  • 1/2 cup shallots, finely chopped
  • 1/2 lb. (225 g) chestnuts, roasted tips & tricks
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, warmed
  • 2 tbsp. cooking sherry
  • ground Himalayan sea salt, to taste
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half (substitute heavy cream)

SCALLOPS

  • 4 large scallops, muscle removed and patted dry
  • white pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tbsp. butter tips & tricks
  • few sprigs parsley, for garnish tips & tricks

Directions
 

SOUP

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add butter and bacon fat. When it starts sizzling, add shallots and sauté for only 1minute.
  • Add roasted chestnuts and sauté until soft.
  • Pour in warm chicken broth and cooking sherry. Stir well, bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Purée the soup until smooth using an immersion blender before stirring in half-and-half; taste and adjust if necessary.
  • Pass soup through a fine sieve and return to the saucepan; keep warm until needed.

SCALLOPS

  • Pat the scallops dry using paper towels; season with white pepper.
  • In a small skillet over medium heat, add butter and when hot, add scallops. Cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  • To serve, scoop the soup into warm bowls, place one scallop in the middle of each and garnish with a small sprig of parsley.

Notes

FOOTNOTE: After your bacon is done, it's always a good idea to save the fat. Store it in an airtight container and keep it in the  refrigerator until needed.

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