Houseguests Don't Like Old Fish (Scallops in a Poblano Cream Sauce)
"Oh, you're still here." Carly was instantly reminded of that phrase involving fish and houseguests, though she couldn't entirely remember what that quote was. Fish don't like houseguests. Houseguests don't like old fish. Houseguests smell like fish. One of those has to be right, she thought.
Connor was still on her couch, exactly where she left him when he passed out the night before. She really only invited him in out of pity, as their date could be described as nothing short of a disaster. Though she may have been the only party to think that it went any other way than fantastic.
Carly looked at her phone and saw the time. She'd woken up at 9 and could still hear him snoring, so she decided to hide out in her bedroom until he left her apartment. Now 1:30 in the afternoon and silent, she had wrongfully assumed that he had gotten up and left.
"Yeah, I couldn't figure out how to open your front door. I got confused with the handle..." Connor sheepishly trails off.
She looks at her front door, then back to him. "It's a doorknob." She motions with her hand, "you just.. turn it."
"Oh, so that's how you do it."
Carly sighs. Not at Connor's incredibly unconvincing answer, but because she knows she's too nice of a person to actually kick him out. "Are you hungry? I think I've got enough to throw something together. I'll figure it out." She rummages through the freezer and finds a bag of scallops that have been in there for quite some time. "Do you like scallops?" I hope he doesn't notice that they're freezer burnt, she thought. Or actually, I hope he does. Houseguests don't like old fish.
"Yeah, I like food."
Carly goes through her refrigerator, pulling out anything that hasn't passed the 'best by' date. It's really only a couple peppers, a handful of cilantro, and a single lime. She's not much for grocery shopping, as most of her meals as of late either came from a cardboard box or a paper bag.
"You got an Xbox or something?" Connor interrupts while she's waist-deep in her Whirlpool.
"Uh no, I'm not really much for gaming."
"Bruh, what do you do with your time?" he scoffs.
"I work. I enjoy reading. Lately I've been really into historical fiction novels. Oh and I volunteer with charities that help sick kids--"
"God, that sounds so boring."
If Carly didn't regret kicking him out when she saw him still sprawled out on her couch in his dirty boxers, she did now. But she always gives people the benefit of the doubt, even when they don't deserve it. Her annoyance was fleeting, quickly turning back into guilt for even the mere thought of providing a rude reply. Instead, she used this as an opportunity to get to know him a little better. A second chance that he also didn't deserve. "Is there anything you like to do in your free time? Besides video games?" She turns to start prepping her ingredients. "Don't worry, I'm still listening."
"Not really. I really had my life together until my mom kicked me out."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Why did she kick you out? If you don't mind me asking."
"She said I was stealing money from her to buy drugs, but that's so untrue. I was totally going to give it back when my band finally gets big."
"You play an instrument? That's so cool! I've always wanted to learn--"
"Oh, I don't play an instrument. I make the sound effects."
She knew she shouldn't ask, but against all her better judgement, she did anyway. "Sound.. effects?"
"Yeah! Stuff like of a guy moaning, or yelling and swearing. But usually moaning. Like, a lot of moaning."
Carly gets out her grandmother's old cast iron pan and briefly entertains the idea of using it to chase Connor out of her house. Instead, she places it on her stove and cranks up the heat. "So what do you do for work?"
"I'm kind of between jobs at the moment. But don't worry, I've still got money. I make scam phone calls to trick elderly people into giving me their bank info. It's hilarious how easy it is!"
Making the best decision she's made in the past 18 hours, arguably the only good decision she's made in the past 18 hours, Carly throws a cup of cold water into the searing hot cast iron pan. Still a little oily from generations of meals created with love, it pops and sizzles into a large cloud of smoke. "Oh, my god!" Carly poorly feigns panic, "my pan is on fire! We need to get out of here!" She ushers Connor off of the couch and towards the door, throwing his jeans at him with a calm reminder, "don't forget your pants."
"What? But--"
"It's a gas stove, it's gonna blow!" She pushes him out the door and closes it behind him, leaving her finally alone on the other side.
"Great," Carly sighs, leans against the back of the door, and slowly slides down to the floor. "Now I have to move again."
Scallops in a Poblano Cream Sauce
Ingredients:
Steps:
- Roast the poblano peppers either over a gas stovetop or in the oven under a broiler. After skin has bubbled, place in a paper bag or closed container for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes have passed, peel the skins and place peppers into a food processor or blender with a small handful of cilantro, the 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 bullion cube. Pulse until well blended.
- In a cast iron pan, coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil. Salt and pepper the scallops, then sear on both sides, 45 seconds to 1 minute each side. Don't cook all the way through or they will become overcooked and rubbery at the end. Place on a plate.
- In the same cast iron pan, melt 1 tbsp butter and cook the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add in the pepper mixture, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp onion powder and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until blended with the melted butter.
- Add 3/4 cup crema*. Cook down until slightly thick, about 4 to 5 minutes. After sauce has thickened, add lime juice and stir until combined.
- Add scallops and any juice from the plate back to pan. Heat until scallops are warm again and serve.
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