ChefSteps Tips & Tricks: How to Buy a Scallop

At ChefSteps, we don't tell you how to cook, we show you—with recipes designed to inspire and educate, tested techniques for successful results at home, and a lively forum where you'll chat with other chefs and home-cooking enthusiasts.

[TRACTOOOOOOOOOR]

Not to say I don't like the soundtrack in your videos or that the videos themselves are not enjoyable that way, but I like a bit more when Grant talks and explains things in them.

Nice video!

[tenaharrison]

Do you guys offer internships to culinary majors? This channel is mind blowing and inspiring!

[elliswrong]

I'll eat three scallops. Hell, I'll eat four. I'm a renegade.

[jameswnmcn]

The most important variable left out of this presentation was "wet" or "dry" scallop differentiation/purchase. When I ask butchers in So. Cal. if the scallops are wet or dry, they sometimes give me an answer. If they give me an answer, I then ask them "What is the difference?"
More often than not, the butcher has NO CLUE as to the difference.
Wet scallops have been chemically treated to extend their "fresh" appearance in the butcher counter. They also retain water better when treated. Dry scallops are cleaned and put into the counter. They are not chemically treated.
Why does any of this matter? Well, if you are dropping raw Wet scallops into a soup, it will make no difference. If on the other hand you want to quickly saute and caramelize, you have a tough time as Wet scallops "flood" the pan with juices and are impossible to sear/cook without over cooking. They also "shrink up to nothing". And, no one likes overcooked rubbery scallops (I used to eat them exclusively raw and sweet).
Also left out of this presentation was the difference between Bay Scallops and Ocean Scallops. I will leave that difference to someone else. If shopping, you need to know the difference. Their uses are NOT the same. The scallops in this video are Ocean Scallops.
So good luck buying natural scallops.

[SuperOmnoms]

"nobody eats 3 marshmallows" you underestimate me.

[glossonema]

Loving all of these latest videos, Grant is so cool ;A;

[scottpastry]

And by with the roe on. Thats the best bit!

[harryhatchet]

where is the rest of it? the orange bit? I feel bad for eating well over a dozen at a time now. (catch limit is 20 per person)

[henkjanssen]

Why not buy them in the shell? If you clean the shell you got yourself a really cool plate!

[treesarecool]

Should you buy frozen scallops or is that a bad idea?

[harrywilson]

I can totally eat four of U10's!! :)

[FlamerzZz]

Hmm there's no fresh scallops around my area....all those were frozen and watery. the size is like the size you're holding but when i pan fry like 12 of them all the water comes out it becomes boiling scallops water and it shrinks to 3 times smaller !! damn !!

[ctong]

Guess I should stop eating this bag of marshmallows...

[josephgbocchino]

He should have covered the DRY vs WET (water added) scallops.

[maggieclay]

My parents own a fine dining restaurant and my friends ask me all the time to buy them sea food because they always get cheap stuff so thank you for doing this and PLZ make more videos like this

[Matt-hxvn]

I was all, "this many is so attractive." Then he said you never eat three marshmallows. I am no longer interested. Any many I date must meet AT LEAST 3 marshmallows!

[thehairylemon]

I don't even like scallops...I'm just here to see Grant's beautiful facial hair as he talks about something to do with food

[minegiler]

Easy. Go to fish shop "gimme those scallops" Done.

[onedeep]

Are those real scallops or is it stingray or shark?

[wilcole]

I eat way over 2 marshmallows, not gonna lie...