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Pepperoni Fried Rice with Scallops and Garlic Aioli

Pan-fried crispy rice is served tossed with cubes of spiced pepperoni and herbs, then flavored with tomato paste and topped with garlic aioli and scallops in this Italian-American-inspired spin on Spanish paella.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword aioli, crispy rice, fried rice, garlic aioli, pepperoni, scallop, seafood, shellfish
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 629kcal

Ingredients

For the pepperoni fried rice:

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups day old long-grain white rice
  • 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 4 ounces pepperoni, cut into ¼” cubes
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ cup diced chives
  • cup (packed) roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley

For the garlic “aioli”:

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

For the scallops:

  • 1 pound dry-packed sea scallops
  • Kosher salt, as needed
  • Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

For the pepperoni fried rice:

  • Heat a large cast iron pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and heat through. Add the rice in an even layer and cook, untouched, until the bottom is crispy and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes so each grain is crispy.
  • Add the shallots and cook until they are tender and no longer opaque, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and pepperoni and cook, stirring occasionally until the pepperoni is slightly crisp, about an additional 5 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste and paprika, stirring to combine, and let cook for 2 minutes. Then turn the pan off the heat and stir in the chives and parsley.

For the garlic “aioli”:

  • In a small bowl whisk together the mayo, garlic and olive oil until fully combined then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the scallops:

  • Pull the side muscle off the scallops if needed and pat the scallops dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the butter and allow to melt. Add the scallops to the pan and let cook, untouched, until the underside is golden-brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the scallops from the pan and set aside.

For serving:

  • Ladle the crispy rice into bowls and top with dollops of the aioli. Divide the scallops and serve on top. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 629kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 809mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1288IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg