Hokkaido Scallop – A Tasty Realm Of Seafood Luxury From The Land Of The Rising Sun
Hokkaido Scallop – A Tasty Realm Of Seafood Luxury From The Land Of The Rising Sun
The strong desire for luxury seafoods has lead food connoisseurs to indulge in the extraordinary; in search of the best seafood by navigating a plethora of destinations including Hokkaido from “the land of the rising sun”. From bidding over the catch of the day to entering classy restaurants serving the finest cuts of Japanese sashimi, Hokkaido is home to a bounty of gourmet seafood offerings where new agers and pleasure seekers alike are forevermore impressed by its magnificent flavours and freshness.
Apart from being blessed with beautiful snow, Hokkaido is a prime location that brings together seafood from northern and southern regions, where the cold Chidori and warm Tsushima currents meet. The Nijo Market or Sankaku Market in Sapporo are claimed to be one of the most popular fish markets in the country, making full use of a variety of seafood arriving from many parts of Hokkaido.
An abundance of fresh produce is widely enjoyed due to the cold ocean waters at low temperatures, providing ample nourishment to the sea creatures and resulting in nutritious planktons flowing through the Pacific Ocean. This creates leaner, succulent meat with additional layers of fat, resulting in the outstanding qualities of Hokkaido seafood.
With this bountiful natural environment being at the heart of Hokkaido’s treasure chest of seafood, many travel far to experience the unique dishes; such as sashimi-topped rice and sushi that can be described as so deliciously meaty and delectable that it melts in your mouth.
One thing for sure, is that Hokkaido could rely on the extravagant variety of dynamic seafood cuisines using just king or snow crabs, oysters, native sea urchins, salmon roe, and shellfishes. Today at By Marini’s, let us divulge you with Hokkaido’s most stunning prized possession, the Hokkaido scallop.
Japan’s Candy Of The Sea
* Images used are for illustrative purposes only.
Scallops of Hokkaido are generally the most sought after in the sushi culinary scene, served generously for its gigantic and meaty servings. The freshness of the hotate (Hokkaido scallops) is second to none. A bite of the nation’s most treasured sushi delicacy is sweet in taste and soft in texture with rich decadence, just as one would discover from a perfectly aged slab of steak or the highest quality of red wine.
The Japanese usually eat it raw, often sliced through the middle and served with steamed rice, a simple and hearty meal perfect for the soul. Some prefer bringing out its natural intricate sweetness by lightly searing the scallops, grilled and caramelised to perfection with a pleasant aroma surrounding you. Think of chewy textures like biting into a marshmallow, followed by discovering the ooze of rich and sweet hints of seafood flavours, almost like candy.
Mesmerise the palate of your guests by crafting up tempting scallop dishes using simple and fresh ingredients at the comfort of your home. Try this innovative recipe which By Marini’s have exclusively selected to inspire you to be your own master chef.
Pan-Seared Hokkaido Scallop Risotto
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This dish truly defines the brilliant fusion between the East and West, using Hokkaido scallops from Japan and a creamy traditional dish from Italy, the risotto. The goal is to maintain a plumpy flesh and a succulent inside with an exterior beautifully seared to a delicious crisp and brown crust. To further accentuate the Hokkaido scallops’ distinctive flavours, truffle oil and parmesan cheese are added to the creation for an intensity out of the extraordinary.
Ingredients for 3 people:
- Large scallops, 5 pieces
- Shiitake mushrooms, 3 pieces
- Asparagus, 6 stalks
- Rice, 1 cup
- Shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp
- Onion (chopped), ½ bulb
- Minced garlic, 1 tbsp
- Butter, 2 tbsp
- Extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp
- Truffle oil, 1 tbsp
- White wine, 3 tbsp
- Chicken stock, 350 ml
- Salt, ½ tsp
Prepare scallops by rinsing them well and patting dry with paper towels. Next, cut up two scallops into bite sized pieces and season the scallops with salt and pepper.
To prepare the risotto, heat up 1 tbsp of oil and butter in a saucepan and add in onion and garlic. Saute until ingredients are soft and fragrant then pour in chicken stock. Rinse rice and add it into the mix with salt and simmer in slow fire. Stir occasionally to give it a smoother consistency until it is cooked al dente.
Add in chopped asparagus, mushrooms, scallops and a dash of white wine. Mix it well and add in parmesan cheese, butter and truffle oil to bring out stronger flavours and delicious aromas. Keep stirring until the liquid is fully absorbed and then transfer your risotto mixture onto a plate.
To prepare the scallop, heat up olive oil and ½ tsp of butter on a pan. Use medium fire to sear scallops on both sides until golden and crisp. It is important to lightly pan-sear for a few seconds only, so that you do not overcook them. Next, drain away remaining oil from the pan and place the seared scallops onto the risotto. Dress it up with a drizzle of truffle oil and a sprinkle of herbs of your choice.
Hokkaido may be known as the fresh seafood heaven, but you can explore a beautifully plated contemporary Italian fare of seafood delights, including the most popular Hokkaido scallop, right at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Come by the classy establishments of The Marini’s Group, Marini’s on 57 and Marble 8, to delve deep into our Signature selections of seafood deliciousness.
Scrumptious Seafood Luxury At The Marini’s Group
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Walk in with grace and seat yourself charmingly at the best spot of the night, fetching in majestic views of the Kuala Lumpur city skyline. Select your weapon of choice from Signature cocktails to crafted beers and nosh on the finest quality of tasteful Italian dishes thoughtfully interpreted by our masterful in-house chefs.
Inside the prestigious locale of Marini’s on 57, dine on fresh catch that is carefully portrayed into sublime creations – Capesante, the heavenly and palatable pan-seared Hokkaido scallop served with parsnip puree and shaved truffle. If scallop isn’t your cup of tea, go for our unparalleled selection of other seafood wonders under the Secondi Di Pesce menu; Branzino Del Mediterraneo, baked Mediterranean Sea bass seasoned with 4 herb variants, or the Pesce Del Giorno, Marini’s on 57’s all-time favourite dish of freshly picked seafoods from the market.
Should you wish to convene at Marble 8 for an upscale evening affair instead, know that the celebrated establishment will be re-opening at an exclusive new location soon. Nestled on the 56th floor of Menara Petronas 3, the new address for Marble 8 will offer patrons astounding views that will accompany Kuala Lumpur’s most talked-about steaks. Head on over when their doors fully open to relish decadent dishes with a gastronomic charm that excites the senses. The new Marble 8 on 56 is now accepting bookings, to place an advance reservation kindly email [email protected] or call +60323866030.
Marini’s On 57 is the place to be for cleverly crafted and scrupulously assembled creations, so come savour our exquisite seafood dishes with enthusiasm to embellish a lovely evening.
The seafood journey of discovery does not stop here. Explore great insights on luxurious lobsters, the queen of seafood culinary, as we unveil it in our piece – Lobster: How A Posh Delicacy Has Ascended The Social Ladder.