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seared scallops garnished with herbs

Seared Scallops

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1-2 lbs fresh Atlantic Sea Scallops (defrosted)
  • canola oil
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • salted butter
  • fresh herbs, such as parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • 1-2 fresh lemons, cut in wedges (optional, for serving)

Method
 

  1. With defrosted scallops on hand, and your ingredients gathered, you’re ready to begin cooking
  2. Start by patting your scallops dry with a paper towel. Removing any excess moisture will aid in the browning of the scallop, resulting in that delicious outer crust.
  3. Next, preheat a large frying pan over medium-high heat
  4. Add some canola oil and let heat for a few minutes. You want the scallops to sizzle when they enter the pan
  5. Once the oil is hot, add scallops to the pan, leaving a few inches of space between each scallop. Overcrowding the pan will steam the scallops instead of searing them. Cook scallops in batches if necessary
  6. Let the scallops cook for 2 minutes, untouched. Flip and let cook for another 1-2 minutes
  7. While scallops are cooking on the second side, add butter and let melt. Spoon over the scallops as they finish cooking
  8. Once cooked, you’ll notice a brown outer crust and opaque center. Cooked scallops should have an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit
  9. Serve seared scallops hot with a garnish of fresh herbs and lemon, enjoy!

Notes

*Photo by Kathy Maister is marked with CC BY 2.0