Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Vegan Scallops featuring King Oyster mushrooms seared to golden perfection and coated with a flavorful garlic lemon butter sauce, perfect for a plant-based appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound King Oyster Mushrooms (450g)
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (plus more for brushing and cooking)
- 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon Paprika
Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons Vegan Butter
- 3 Cloves Garlic (Crushed)
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (Freshly Squeezed)
- 2 Tablespoons Parsley (Chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare Mushrooms: Cut the ends off the King Oyster mushrooms and slice the stems into 1-inch thick discs to resemble scallops.
- Oil and Season: Place the mushroom rounds on a baking tray and brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle the tops with sea salt, ground black pepper, and paprika.
- Heat Skillet: Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-low heat and coat it with a thin layer of olive oil.
- Sear Mushrooms Side One: Add the mushroom scallops to the hot skillet seasoned side down. Listen for a sizzling sound indicating the pan is hot.
- Season Second Side: While the first side is searing, season the other side of the mushrooms with sea salt, ground black pepper, and paprika.
- Cook First Side: Cook for around 2 minutes until golden brown, then flip the scallops.
- Cook Second Side: Cook the other side for about 2 minutes until also golden brown, then transfer them back to the baking tray.
- Repeat Searing: Repeat the searing process with remaining mushroom scallops, adding more olive oil and reheating the skillet if necessary, until all are golden brown on both sides.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add vegan butter and crushed garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and the butter is lightly golden, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Lemon and Parsley: Stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley, then turn off the heat.
- Coat Mushrooms with Sauce: Return all mushroom scallops to the skillet, crowding them if needed, and gently toss to coat them evenly with the garlic lemon butter sauce. Use a spoon to baste the scallops with sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the vegan scallops to a serving plate. Garnish with extra ground black pepper, fresh chopped parsley, and fresh lemon slices for a bright finish.
Notes
- King Oyster mushrooms are ideal for this recipe due to their thick, meaty stems that mimic the texture of scallops.
- Ensure the skillet is properly preheated to get a good sear; a cast iron skillet works best for even heat distribution.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic when making the sauce as it can turn bitter.
- You can serve these vegan scallops as an appetizer or as a main course with sides like rice, salad, or pasta.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine or vegan white wine alternative to the sauce when adding lemon juice and parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vegan, Plant-Based