Pan Seared Scallops With Brown Butter Hazelnuts And White Truffle Oil With Roasted Fingerling Potatoes And Asparagus Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Remove the small side muscle from the scallops, rinse with cold water and thoroughly pat dry.
• Add the butter and oil to a 12 to 14-inch saute pan on high heat. Salt and pepper the scallops. Once the fat begins to smoke, gently add the scallops, making sure they are not touching each other. Sear the scallops for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. The scallops should have a 1/4-inch golden crust on each side while still being translucent in the center. Serve immediately.

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• If necessary, remove the small, tough muscle (called the adductor) found on the side of the scallops (often the fishmonger will have removed it). Heat a medium nonstick skillet over high heat. Season scallops on both sides with coarse salt and pepper. When pan is hot, add enough oil to coat bottom of pan (about 1 tablespoon), and swirl to coat evenly. Add scallops and quickly jerk the pan to keep them from sticking. Sear until lightly golden, about 45 seconds; with an offset spatula, turn over and cook until opaque throughout, about 30 seconds more (be careful not to turn too soon or the scallops may tear). Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Serve sprinkled with pink salt, if desired, and lemon wedges.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH BROWN BUTTER AND LEMON PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut 2 lemons in half and squeeze juice into a measuring glass or small bowl; you should have 1/4 cup juice. Set aside. Using a paring knife, cut ends off remaining lemon to expose flesh. Upend lemon on a cut end and remove peel and white pith from lemons; discard. Cut between membranes to release segments into bowl with juice; squeeze membranes to get any last drops of juice. Fish out any seeds; set aside. Thinly slice chives and place in a small bowl; set aside.
• Pull side muscle off scallops, if needed; pat dry. Season lightly on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet, preferably stainless steel, over medium-high. Pour in oil to lightly coat surface (2-3 Tbsp.); heat until it shimmers and you see first wisps of smoke. Swiftly place scallops into skillet, flat side down, and cook without touching, tossing, or fussing until underside is deep golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Use a thin spatula or tongs to gently turn over; if they resist, cook another 30 seconds and try again. Cook on second side until flesh at top and bottom looks opaque but there is still a faintly translucent strip in the middle, 1-2 minutes, depending on size. Transfer scallops to a plate.
• Pour off any oil in skillet and set over medium heat. Add butter and cook, swirling, until butter foams, then browns, about 2 minutes. Add reserved lemon juice and segments; energetically stir and swirl pan to emulsify sauce. Mix in capers and reserved chives and spoon pan sauce around and over scallops.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH BROWN BUTTER, CAPERS AND LEMON

Steps:

• Pat scallops dry with paper towels, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a large sauté pan or nonreactive skillet over medium-high heat, and add oil. After 30 seconds, add scallops; do not crowd pan, work in batches if necessary. Sauté until well browned, about 2 minutes, then turn and cook other side. When second side is dark golden, transfer scallops to a platter; cover and keep warm.
• Return sauté pan to heat, add butter, and cook until it begins to foam and turn golden. Add shallot and capers, sauté for 1 minute, then add lemon juice (being careful to avoid sputtering butter) and chopped parsley.
• To serve, place 3 scallops on each of 4 warmed plates. Spoon butter, shallots and capers over scallops, and serve.

SCALLOPS WITH HAZELNUT BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• In a large skillet, stirring frequently, cook butter over medium heat until golden brown and most of the foam has subsided, about 4 minutes. Immediately transfer butter to a small bowl. Stir in hazelnuts and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Cover hazelnut butter to keep warm, and set aside. Wipe out pan with a paper towel.
• Season scallops generously with salt and pepper. Place same skillet over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, cook scallops, in two batches (to avoid steaming), until browned and opaque in center, turning over once with a thin-bladed metal spatula, about 2 minutes total.
• Divide arugula among four serving plates; top with scallops. Spoon hazelnut butter over scallops.

SCALLOPS WITH HAZELNUTS AND BROWNED BUTTER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until deep golden brown and most of foam subsides, stirring frequently, about 4 minutes. Transfer butter to bowl, reserving skillet. Sprinkle scallops with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon thyme; add to reserved skillet and cook until just opaque in center, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer scallops to plate. Add shallots, hazelnuts, and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme to skillet; stir 30 seconds. Remove skillet from heat. Add browned butter and vinegar; stir to blend. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
• Divide watercress between 2 plates. Top with scallops and spoon warm vinaigrette over.