If you have a "specialty neighborhood grocer", I hope they offer free cooking demonstrations. If they do and you haven’t taken advantage of it? You’re missing out on one of the best deals in town!
Locally, we have a Fresh Market; about once a month they offer a 30-minute cooking class, complete with samplings at the end. The benefits to these complimentary classes are obvious: the chef is available to answer questions, you can watch the recipe prepared from start to finish, and you can see–and taste!–what it’s supposed to turn out like. Whoever chooses their recipes, chooses well. They alternate between beef, chicken, seafood and even lamb; the end result looks gourmet but the recipes are simple to re-create; and suggestions are always offered for companion side dishes and complementary wines.
The most recent class I attended was for Seared Scallops and Asparagus with a Creamy Herbed Butter Sauce. Let’s see how I did:
First, allow me to introduce you to Chef Melanie; she’s my CBF (culinary best friend) IRL.
No matter what it looks like, Chef Melanie is NOT givin’ me the evil eye in that last picture.
The complete recipe from The Fresh Market’s website is available below, but here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to complete the dish:

Oops! Twitchy trigger finger! I snapped the shot without including salt, pepper and the uber-important Mascarpone cheese!
This isn’t exactly a step-by-step tutorial for making this dish…I forgot to take pictures at each step when Melanie was preparing it, and when I’m cooking? Good gracious! I CAN’T take pictures at each step, especially if the recipe moves quickly (like this one).
Here’s Melanie’s asparagus, sauteed in just a bit of olive oil. Stinky-tinkle makers never looked so healthy and delicious!

I like seafood…a lot. Real, buttery scallops? Divine! Look at these big boys–before and after they’re seared. Come here luvahs (the afters, not the befores!)
Let’s check in on my attempts at the same:
Lookin’ good, Billy Ray!
Feelin’ good, Lewis!
(Recognize the movie?)
I should add, smellin’ good!
Melanie’s version of the Herbed Butter Sauce is simmering on the left; mine’s on the right. I wonder if mine is so much darker a) because of my pan, or b) I reduced the wine sauce a bit too long….
And now for the pièce de résistance–again, Chef Melanie’s on the left, mine on the right:
With just a little guidance, I made it with my own two little hands :).
…which is just what Karisma asked for in her Fun Monday challenge this week. Since I had already posted these hand-made favorites before, I thought it’d be fun to post a recipe. Please join Karisma for a host of diverse offerings, all one-of-a kind creations, I’m sure!
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Heat Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add Return skillet to stove and add Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, bring to a |
Looks good to me, in fact I would say I prefer the look of yours. I might just give this recipe a try out~ thank you 🙂
suddenly, i am very very very hungry. not nice to do to me when i’m stuck at my desk!
Mmmmm looks delish!! And thanks for the recipe. An unexpected bonus for Fun Monday :o)
This is a delicious recipe, thanks for sharing!
Sounds and LOOKS like a yummy dish! I love scallops and asparagus ;–)
A friend of mine keeps encouraging me to attend such classes with her, but I just don’t cook much any more … probably because I’m cooking for one, but I might try this one so thanks for the recipe and directions.
My Fun Monday post is up (later than usual due to Blogger issues) at Small Reflections.
Hugs and blessings,
That looks fabulous. I’m hungry now. Yum.
Oh… I feel so hungry now… This looks delicious, love the recipe… And she gave you that look… 🙂
I have a Fresh Market a couple of miles from my house. I’m going to have to see if they have cooking demos.
I love asparagus and, even though I’m not a seafood eater, your meal looks divine!
It looks divine — my husband would wolf it down. (I just don’t tolerate crustaceans)
I just finished dinner and now I’m hungry again!!! Buttery scallops… mmmmm!
WOW-WEE…
That is a FUN MONDAY! YUM-ERS!!!! I wished I was having that for dinner!!!! I bet it taste GREAT!!!!!!!
Oh Robin, I love scallops. Maybe I will be adventuresome enough to try your recipe. Yum.
Stinky-tinkle makers…he, he
Love how you showed so many steps, especially comparing yours to the chef’s. A fun read!
that looks so good, I can taste it, yummy
Love how you showed so many steps, especially comparing yours to the chef’s. A fun read!
ok I am now officially hungry! So do you do take out?
Yum
Oh..that sound and looks delicious..thanks for the recipe!!
To be a good cook you also need to be talented.
Wow Robin, even as an avowed hater of all things seafood that looks good to me. I may actually try to whip this one up.
I may be ‘Trading Places’ with the seafood lover in my home (which in my case is one of our trio of cats)
So when is the next one? I’d love to go. I think we are close to you…Fresh Market in Chattanooga? Near the mall?
Storyteller, GO! I’m not askin’, I’m TELLIN’!
Cris, ha!
Sauntering Soul, I’d bet money they do :).
Molly, it’s worth the effort…I PROMISE!
Phil, come to Chatty…I’ll cook for y’all (and it doesn’t even have to be the dreaded seafood 😉 ).
Phyllis, LET’S MEET NEXT TIME, K? 🙂