The Real Bloody Mary with Pesto Grilled Scallop Skewers

This Bloody Mary drink combines roasted peppercorns, vodka, vegetable juice cocktail, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, cayenne pepper, celery salt, basil, beau monde seasoning, and horseradish. Several scallops are placed on each skewer, brushed with pesto and olive oil, and grilled. The skewers are then set on the edge of the glasses after filling with the Bloody Mary mixture.

• Email Recipe
• Print Recipe
•        

Ingredients:

• FOR THE BLOODY MARY
• Black peppercorns - 1 tsp.
• Vodka - 12 oz.
• V-8 vegetable juice - 24 oz.
• Fresh lemon juice - 1/2 cup
• Worcestershire sauce - 1 oz.
• A-1 Steak Sauce - 1 tbsp.
• Cayenne pepper - 1 tsp.
• Celery salt - 1/2 tsp.
• Fresh basil, chopped - 1 tbsp.
• Beau Monde seasoning - 1 tsp.
• Prepared horseradish - 3 tbsp.
• FOR THE SCALLOP SKEWERS
• Bamboo skewers - 6, six-inch
• Fresh Bay scallops - 30
• Pesto sauce - 1/2 cup
• Extra virgin olive oil - 1 tbsp.
• Sea salt - 1/2 tsp.
• Basil tops - 6

Method

Heat the peppercorns over medium heat in a small saucepan, stirring often, for 5-6 minutes. When peppercorns begin to smoke, keep shaking and heating for 4 more minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Process in a coffee grinder until coarse. Combine peppercorns and remaining Bloody Mary ingredients in a blender. Blend together for 30 seconds. Refrigerate Bloody Mary mix along with 6 tall wine or water glasses. While the mixture and glasses chill, begin making the skewers. Preheat a gas grill to HIGH heat. Soak the skewers in water for 15 minutes, then fill each skewer with 5 scallops. Slide the scallops 1-inch from the ends of the skewers. Combine the pesto with the olive oil. Brush the grill well with plain oil, then brush each scallop with the pesto mixture and season with sea salt. Cook the skewers on the grill for 1 to 2 minute on each side, brushing twice more with the pesto mixture. Remove scallop skewers from the grill and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Remove chilled glasses from the freezer and pour Bloody Mary mix into each glass. Place 1 grilled scallop skewer off center on the rim of each glass. Garnish with basil tops. Serve immediately.

Notes: RECIPE NOTES: 1. This is a Bloody Mary drink that I have adjusted to be extremely flavorful with some regular household condiments and fresh herbs. I have also topped the drinks with pesto-grilled scallop skewers. This is a real fun addition to a Bloody Mary. Not only can you eat the baby scallop skewers on their own as an appetizer, but you can dip them in the Bloody Mary as well. Its Tasty, tasty, and great fun. I hope you enjoy this one. Most grocers supply good quality pesto these days, making it a quick and easy flavor solution. 2. The technique of roasting the black peppercorns is a quick and easy one. I use this technique to roast and grind a lot of peppercorns at one time. Then I store it in an air-tight container and use it whenever I need it. Variation: BLOODY MARY OYSTER SHOOTERS. Try serving 2 tbsp. of the Bloody Mary drink mix with a fresh shucked oyster.

Number of servings: 6 servings

Submitted By: Michael C.
View all recipes by this user