Description
Seared Scallops and Corn Salad elevates simple ingredients into an elegant solo dinner. Delicate sea scallops caramelize beautifully over high heat, nestled alongside sweet corn and crisp greens, creating a restaurant-quality meal you can savor in the comfort of home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 to 5 sea scallops (about 4 to 4 ½ ounces / 113 to 128 grams)
Fresh Produce:
- 2 ears fresh corn or 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) frozen corn kernels
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3 fresh basil leaves
Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider or rice vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a heavy-bottomed skillet by warming of high-heat oil over medium-high temperature, ensuring the pan is evenly heated.
- Delicately place clean, pat-dried sea scallops into the skillet, arranging them without crowding to guarantee a perfect golden-brown crust, and allow them to sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully inspect the underside of each scallop for a rich caramelized surface, indicating they are ready to be flipped with precision using tongs or a thin spatula.
- Gently turn the scallops and cook on the opposite side for an additional 60-90 seconds, maintaining the skillet’s consistent heat.
- Reduce the heat slightly and introduce cold unsalted butter, tilting the pan to create a quick butter baste that will enhance the scallops’ delicate flavor and provide a glossy finish.
- Spoon the melted butter continuously over the scallops for approximately 45-60 seconds, allowing them to absorb the rich, nutty essence while completing their cooking process.
- Transfer the perfectly seared scallops immediately to a warm plate, drizzling any remaining brown butter from the skillet as a final aromatic touch before serving.
Notes
- Elevate your dining experience by searing scallops with precise timing to achieve a golden-brown crust while maintaining a tender, succulent interior.
- Butter basting creates a luxurious flavor profile and helps prevent the delicate scallops from drying out during the final moments of cooking.
- Choose fresh, dry-packed scallops for the best searing results, ensuring they’re patted completely dry before hitting the hot pan.
- Position scallops in a single layer without overcrowding to guarantee even caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the optimal texture and temperature of these delicate seafood gems.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg