Celebrate Valentine’s Day (or the weekend) with a sweet and spicy dinner for two. Sweet pineapple salsa compliments jerk scallops full of flavor in a dinner that comes together quickly.
Like so many other couples, my husband and I rarely eat out on Valentine’s Day. And since having kids? We rarely get to go out around Valentine’s Day. Instead, we try to celebrate with a special dinner at home. Sometimes it’s something that’s a little more expensive, something it’s something that’s more time consuming to make than usual, or something it’s just something that I know my husband will love.
This dinner meets two of those criteria. Scallops are something that my husband enjoys immensely but that I don’t make super frequently. They’re a bit pricey and since having kids, I haven’t quite been as excited about seafood as I used to be. Plus, it is one of those proteins that I’m always (inexplicably) nervous about undercooking. #Paranoia
So for this Valentine’s Day, I paired some of my husband’s favorites for a quick but killer meal. Spicy jerk scallops are topped with a sweet pineapple salsa and a rice, flavored ever so slightly of coconut. He was in heaven.
Recipe Notes:
- I used homemade jerk seasoning in this recipe, but you can also use store-bought.
- My husband has a big appetite, so this recipe serves two in our house. Depending on your appetites, you may want to adjust the amount of scallops.
- This pineapple salsa is mild, with no jalapeno. It was a perfectly sweet pairing for us, since the scallops have a good bit of kick, but feel free to add a jalapeno (minced, seeds included or removed per your preferences) if you’d like this dish even spicier.
- Although the recipes is for searing on the stove top, the scallops can be grilled as well.
More Recipes for Two
Savory
- Chicken Florentine for 2 by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
- Jerk Scallops with Pineapple Salsa over Coconut Rice by Books n’ Cooks (below!)
- Pork Filet Mignon by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Sweet
- Banana Split Cookie Trifle for Two by Palatable Pastime
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie for Two (Pizookies) by House of Nash Eats
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes for 2 by Kate’s Recipe Box
- Do You Carrot All Cake by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Heart Cocoa for Two by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Jerk Scallops with Pineapple Salsa over Coconut Rice
Celebrate Valentine's Day (or the weekend) with a sweet and spicy dinner for two. Sweet pineapple salsa compliments jerk scallops full of flavor in a dinner that comes together quickly.
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Pineapple Salsa:
- 1 c. diced pineapple
- 3 Tbs. minced red onion
- 2 Tbs. finely chopped cilantro
- 1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
Ingredients for the Coconut Rice:
- 1 c. jasmine rice
- 3/4 c. coconut milk
- 3/4 c. water
Ingredients for the Scallops:
- 3 Tbs. jerk seasoning
- 3/4 lb. sea scallops (about 8 large scallops)
- 2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Make the Salsa:
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Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
Make the Rice & Scallops:
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Bring coconut milk and water to a boil. Add rice and reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes, or until rice is cooked through. Turn off stove and allow to stand for a few minutes.
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While the rice is cooking, heat a heavy, cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When hot, add oil.
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Rinse scallops and pat dry. Place jerk seasoning on a plate. Coat scallops with seasoning on top, bottom and sides. Place in hot skillet. Sear for 2 minutes per side. If needed, lower heat and continue to cook until scallops are cooked throughout.
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Serve scallops hot, over rice. Top with pineapple salsa.
A Books n’ Cooks Original Recipe
Looking for more recipes designed to serve two? Check out the links from my friends below, or search #RecipesForTwo on social media for a visual tour of some amazing dishes.
We love scallops and I love the jerk seasoning idea.
The combination of flavors in this dish are amazing! I love everything about it and can’t wait to make it for my husband and I!
Thanks Megan! I hope you and your husband enjoy it!
I love everything about this recipe!
Thanks Cindy!
Love that you have your own jerk seasoning for this! It’s Island Perfect.
It’s just so much easier and cheaper to make my own seasoning than to buy it just for one or two recipes. It was made with herbs and spices already in my pantry.
These scallops sound heavenly! I love the bold flavors of jerk seasoning and this would be so perfect for a date-night in!
Thanks Amy!
Hey,I love everything in this recipe! Thank you for this post! 🙂
I love scallops! This recipe looks perfect for a date night at home!
Yes! Easy but definitely special enough for date night at home.
I’ve only ever had scallops once, but this is making me want to try them again. Looks great!
I’m a sucker for scallops! Especially when they’re kicked up with jerk seasoning. So delicious especially served with pineapple salsa. Yum!
These are so very much my kind of flavors!
mmm! I love jerk seasoning and that salsa on top, sounds delicious!
I love all the flavors in this dish! it sounds really delicious and perfect for a date night at home.
Everything about this tropical dish sounds amazing! Plus quick and easy for a weeknight meal.
I made this recipe for stay-in date night and we absolutely loved it! I love cast-iron too and now will always use it to cook scallops! That jerk seasoning is amazing too!
Awe Julie, you just made my day! So glad you enjoyed it!
That pineapple salsa on top totally makes this dish for me! Sounds scrumptious.
I know I’ve commented on this dish in the past – but it looks super and flavorful (plus I adore scallops and don’t make them nearly enough).
Oh yeah…so many great flavors going on here. I could definitely eat this!!!
Scallops are one of my favorite special occasion ingredients. They’re not that expensive so I really need to make them more often… starting with this recipe!
Scallops are one of my favorite special occasion ingredients. They’re not that expensive so I really need to make them more often… starting with this recipe!
I made these a couple of years ago and have made them multiple times since then! Absolutely delicious every time, especially with your homemade jerk seasoning!
That makes me so happy Amy – so glad you like them!
I totally want to make that pineapple salsa! Delicious meal idea!
I think scallops are such an elegant meal. I also want that pineapple salsa on all the things!!
This is my kind of dinner! I love that salsa with the Jerk seasoning.
I adore scallops and this sounds so delicious! I love the combo of sweet, savory, and spicy!