Description
Silky lemon butter scallops dance with zesty Mediterranean charm, bringing coastal elegance to dinner tables. Delicate seafood meets rich butter sauce, promising a quick, luxurious meal you’ll savor with restaurant-quality satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450 grams) sea scallops, side muscle removed
Fat and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Meticulously dry each scallop using paper towels, removing all surface moisture. Delicately season both surfaces with salt and cracked black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Select a heavy-based skillet and heat olive oil over medium-high temperature until it shimmers with intense heat. Carefully place scallops into the pan, maintaining adequate spacing to prevent steaming.
- Execute precise searing technique, allowing each scallop to develop a rich golden crust. Cook approximately 2-3 minutes per side until surfaces turn caramelized and centers transform to translucent white.
- Transfer perfectly seared scallops onto a separate plate, preserving their delicate texture and warmth.
- Reduce skillet heat and introduce butter, allowing it to melt smoothly and create a silky base. Incorporate finely minced garlic, stirring constantly to release its aromatic essence without browning.
- Splash fresh lemon juice into the bubbling butter, creating a vibrant sauce that brightens the skillet’s flavor profile. Gently swirl and allow liquid to reduce slightly.
- Reunite seared scallops with the luminous lemon butter sauce, coating each morsel with the fragrant mixture. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the dish for a verdant finishing touch.
- Present immediately on warmed plates, garnishing with additional parsley and optional lemon wedges to enhance visual appeal and provide complementary citrus notes.
Notes
- Pat scallops completely dry to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear without steaming them in their own moisture.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast iron to create an evenly distributed, high heat that develops a beautiful caramelized crust on scallops.
- Choose fresh, high-quality sea scallops with a sweet, delicate flavor and avoid frozen options for the best texture and taste.
- Space scallops apart in the pan to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of creating a crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg