Seared Scallops With Jammy Cherry Tomatoes
CATEGORIES
INGREDIENTS
- Cooking Time: 25 mins
- Servings: 4
- Preparation Time: 10 mins
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup thinly sliced shallots (about 2 shallots)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes, cut in half through the stem
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pound large sea scallops (about 14-16 scallops), tough muscle removed
- 2 tablespoons oil of choice (I use EVOO), plus more as needed
- 1 lemon, (zest entire lemon and reserve) and then cut in half
- 1/2 thinly chopped basil, for serving
- Coarse serving salt of choice (I use pink Himalayan)
DIRECTIONS
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low and add the butter to melt. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender but not browned. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant
- Add the wine and cook until about half the liquid has evaporated, just a few minutes
- Add the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tomatoes have released their juices and almost completely collapsed. Transfer the tomato mixture to a small dish (use a rubber spatula to get every last bit of the sauce!), then carefully wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel
- Pat the scallops dry. Add the oil to the skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the oil is very hot, add half the scallops, spacing them evenly in the pan, and season with kosher salt. Cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and cook for 1 more minute. Don’t overcook! Transfer the scallops to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil if necessary
- Drain any remaining oil and take the skillet off the heat. Return the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet and squeeze in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Return the scallops to the skillet, nestling them into the tomatoes. Top with the zest of both lemon halves, basil, and a generous sprinkle of salt, and serve immediately
- Enjoy!