# Scallops + Bok Choy + \_\_\_\_\_\_ = Best Meal Ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 22, 2007, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scallops-bok-choy-______-best-meal-ever/430926 "2007-12-22T10:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scallops-bok-choy-______-best-meal-ever/430926/1 "2007-12-22T10:41:42Z")
I’m cooking dinner tonight for my partner’s parents. I don’t cook often, so I’m going simple: seared scallops and bok choy. But I feel like I need one more side dish. Maybe something crunchy for a little textural variation. Maybe some kind of tempura? Suggestions? ``` Also, scallop/bok choy advice? I understand the keys to scallops be to dry them thoroughly, use a hot pan, and don't overcook. Anything else? ``` ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scallops-bok-choy-______-best-meal-ever/430926/2 "2007-12-22T11:54:58Z")
[QUOTE=Richard Parker] Also, scallop/bok choy advice? I understand the keys to scallops be to dry them thoroughly, use a hot pan, and don’t overcook. Anything else? [/QUOTE] Buy good scallops is the most important thing. There’s nothing worse than bad scallops. Other than that, you got it right. I like to coat them with Wondra flour before pan frying. It’s also yummy if you happen to fry them in bacon fat, but butter/oil works well too. If you use butter, clarify it or use some oil as well, or it will burn. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scallops-bok-choy-______-best-meal-ever/430926/3 "2007-12-22T11:55:44Z")
how about jicama julienned for a ‘salad’ with an oriental sesame ginger dressing? you could get the cute frilly lettuce and make a nest to hold the salad for visual impact. Raw jicama is very crunchy, and cold/crunchy would be a nice contrast. Also the ginger.sesame would make a zippy contrast to teh softer flavored scallops. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scallops-bok-choy-______-best-meal-ever/430926/4 "2007-12-22T12:40:20Z")
Hoi sin sauce, hombre, hoi sin sauce with that little lash-up. ---
**Author:** ![Shecky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@Shecky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shecky)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scallops-bok-choy-______-best-meal-ever/430926/5 "2007-12-22T18:35:37Z")
ginger. it’s a good kick and works well with the bok choi ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scallops-bok-choy-______-best-meal-ever/430926/6 "2007-12-22T20:28:10Z")
It sounds cliche, but I like bacon with both scallops and cabbage. Maybe render it down, saute the scallops in the fat, and toss the bacon ito the bok choy. ETA I see **Athena** was thinking along the same lines.