Keto Scallops with Jarlsberg Cheese Sauce

Keto Scallops with Jarlsberg Cheese Sauce is a delicate and delicious appetizer. The Jarlsberg cheese is mild and pairs well with the sweet taste of the seared scallops. The nice part of Jarlsberg cheese is that it will not overpower the scallops. When blended with heavy cream the sauce becomes so creamy and tasty! If you are looking for a restaurant style appetizer or main seafood dish this recipe is what you need.

In the non-low carb world, this recipe is often shown over a wheat pasta. You will also see versions using bread crumbs and a broiler. These are generally Scallops with Jarlsberg au Gratin. They are tasty, but loaded with carbs. Our version is definitely light and tasty, as well. A low-carb delight with only 4g of carbs! This is a recipe we have made for many years. It is simple and comes together quickly.

Ingredients

Scallops are the main player in the recipe. They can be expensive, especially when purchasing “dry scallops” or ones that have not been previous frozen and without additives. Regardless, you will need to make sure that they are patted dry with paper towels and are not packed with water. The scallops are going to be seared over high heat – you do not want them to be poached. Too much liquid will cause them to become rubbery. You want a buttery crunch on the outside and a melt-in-your-mouth texture on the inside.

Dry scallops are shucked on the boat and preserved dry. They are more expensive than those that are shucked and then preserved in water. They have a sweeter flavor, and are definitely harder to locate. You may also see “diver scallops” advertised in exclusive markets. This means the scallops have not been dredged , but rather divers secure them. They are very expensive, but are more eco-friendly. We look for dry scallops, but regardless, you need to make sure to get rid of as much water as possible.

We can usually find a Jarlsberg spread at our local market. It is simply grated Jarlsberg cheese with mayonnaise, a bit of red onion, and chives. If you cannot find the spread you can easily make your own. Experiment with the amount of each ingredient to render the taste you want. Jarlsberg is so good, you will not mess it up regardless of your ingredient blend. For this dish tonight we made our own. We even doubled the Jarlsberg spread recipe below. We will use the leftovers for broccoli with cheese sauce or for dipping grilled shrimp tomorrow.

Jarlsberg has a rich, buttery flavor, with just a bit of nuttiness. It is from Norway and made from cow’s milk. A similar cheese would be Swiss – Jarlsberg even has holes, like Swiss cheese. Jarlsberg is the most imported cheese in the United States. It is delicious!

Preparation Tips

The main preparation tip is to properly sear the scallops. Use a non-stick pan or cast iron skillet. We like cast iron since it allows for the even high-heat needed for quickly searing. You should also use a high-smoke oil for searing. We have found that Avocado oil works best (it’s smoke point is 520 degrees). Cook them initially for two minutes, do not move them around, and flip them just once. As soon as you flip the scallops, add the butter and cook for only one more minute. Remove and cover very loosely with foil while you make the sauce.

The sauce is also simple! First, remove most of the cooking fat from the pan. Second, reduce the heat to medium, or even remove your skillet from heat, and add the Jarlsberg spread and heavy cream. Finally, whisk rapidly for 2 minutes to thicken, and then add-back the scallops for one minute. Serve sprinkled with cut fresh chives.

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Scallops with Jarlsberg Cheese Sauce – the Perfect Appetizer

If your are looking for a simple and delicious appetizer, or a perfect meal for guests, this is the one! Keto Scallops with Jarlsberg Cheese Sauce is so creamy and tasty. The scallops are the key – perfectly seared! They will nearly melt in your mouth and be so sweet. That is why we choose Jarlsberg – it allows the scallop flavor to come through. Enjoy this Tasty Low Carb delight!

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