What is the visual cue indicating that scallops are fully cooked?
Answer
They become milky white and firm
Determining the readiness of scallops through visual inspection is straightforward, often preferred over attempting to time an internal thermometer reading precisely. When scallops have been cooked sufficiently, their appearance changes distinctly: they transition from translucent to a milky white color, and their texture becomes firm to the touch. This transformation indicates that the proteins have fully coagulated and the scallops are safe to eat. This visual indicator is different from the cue for shucked bivalves, like clams and mussels, which become plump and opaque, or shrimp, which turn pink and firm upon completion of cooking.
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