Ingredients:
- 8 ounces sea scallops, thawed if frozen
- 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons low sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 to 3 fresh basil sprigs, including stems
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, cut into strips (optional)
Directions:
- Rinse the scallops and pat dry. Set aside.
- With a sharp knife, score one lemon lengthwise in four sections and remove the peel from each section. Scrape the white portion from the peel; discard. Cut the peel into very thin strips and set aside. Squeeze 2 tablespoons of juice from the lemon; reserve.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and onion (only phase 4 can have cooked onions) and cook for 2 to 3 minutes; season to taste with the salt and black pepper. Transfer to a serving platter and keep warm.
- Combine the lemon peel, basil sprigs, and 2 tablespoons of low sodium chicken broth in the skillet. Cook for 1 minute or until heated through. Remove the lemon peel and basil sprigs with a slotted spoon, leaving the oil in the skillet; discard.
- Cook the scallops in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes or until opaque, turning once. Stir in the reserved lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Place the scallops over the asparagus mixture. Cut the remaining lemon into wedges. Garnish the scallops with the wedges and, if desired, the fresh basil.
Like pretty much every other season, Lent in New Orleans has its own distinctive food – seafood! While abstaining from meat is supposed to be a sacrifice, it’s hard to feel like we’re sacrificing with all the amazing seafood we have here. When you’re on the Ideal Protein diet, you don’t have to feel like you’re missing anything either. Try this amazing recipe for BBQ Spicy Shrimp and let us know how it helps you with your weight loss and weight management.