For me date night can go several different ways: 1) eat a bowl of random ingredients leftover from the past week and share a bottle of wine, 2) go out and bring a bottle of wine, 3) order in and drink all the wine, 4) make something special that you ordinarily wouldn’t make and pair it with the perfect (any) bottle of wine.
For Valentine’s Day, though, go for scenario number four. Make something that’s a change of pace, something that feels super special, something like, ehem, seared scallops.
Scallops are always a special occasion food for me. I never really make them myself and have only ever encountered them at weddings or restaurants. But here’s one of the fun things about my husband. When you send him to the grocery store to pick up one or two specific items, you don’t really know what he’ll come back with. One afternoon he came back with these beautiful scallops.
So the scallop adventure began.
This is a quick enough recipe and only has a handful of ingredients. I was always intimidated by scallops because I thought there was some difficulty to cooking them, but it’s actually quite simple. Cook one to two minutes and flip!
Buckle your seat belts people, this is how it goes:
Place a single layer of scallops in a shallow bowl. Whisk together half of the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chili, herbs, salt and pepper. Place the mixture on top of the scallops and set aside.
Wash your snow peas and cut stems off if necessary.
Place 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat. When the pan is hot, place the scallops in the pan about two inches apart.
Cook one to two minutes on each side, then add the marinade for one minute or so until it sizzles. Transfer the scallops and marinade to a plate or bowl and wipe the pan clean.
Then, in the same pan with an additional tablespoon of olive oil, sauté the snow peas for a few minutes until bright green. Plate the snow peas and top with scallops and sauce.
Recipe
Chili and Herb Seared Scallops
These Chili + Herb Seared Scallops are the most flavorful and decadent, yet easy recipe whether you’re making it for a weeknight meal or special occasion!
Ingredients
- 8 – 10 large scallops, cleaned
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 tablespoon mint, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon basil, finely chopped
- 1 chili, seeded and finely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb. snow peas
Instructions
- Place a single layer of scallops in a shallow bowl.
- Whisk together half of the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chili, herbs, salt and pepper.
- Place the mixture on top of the scallops and set aside.
- Wash your snow peas and cut stems off if necessary.
- Place 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat.
- When the pan is hot, place the scallops in the pan about two inches apart.
- Cook one to two minutes on each side, then add the marinade for one minute or so until it sizzles.
- Transfer the scallops and marinade to a plate or bowl and wipe the pan clean.
- Then, in the same pan with an additional tablespoon of olive oil, sauté the snow peas for a few minutes until bright green.
- Plate the snow peas and top with scallops and sauce.
Nutrition Info:
- Serving Size: 2
Enjoy!! xo
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