Ingredients:
- About 1/2 kg of large, fresh sea scallops
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- A glug of olive oil
- A knob of unsalted butter
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- A handful of fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Method:
- Prep the Scallops:
- Give those scallops a good pat down with some kitchen paper to get them nice and dry. This’ll help them sear beautifully.
- Season them with a pinch of sea salt and a crack of black pepper on both sides.
2. Get the Pan Hot:
- Place a large frying pan over medium-high heat and let it get good and hot.
- Drizzle in a bit of olive oil. You want it shimmering but not smoking.
3. Sear the Scallops:
- Lay the scallops in the pan, making sure they’ve got a bit of space between them. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you want them to caramelize, not steam.
- Sear them for about 2-3 minutes per side until they’re golden and just cooked through. You’re looking for that lovely crust.
- Once done, remove them from the pan and keep them to one side.
4. Make the Garlic Butter:
- Turn the heat down a touch and add a knob of butter to the same pan.
- As it melts, toss in the chopped garlic. Let it cook gently for about a minute until it’s just starting to color and smell amazing.
5. Bring it Together:
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and sprinkle in the parsley if you’re using it. Give it a quick stir to bring everything together.
- Slide the scallops back into the pan, and spoon that gorgeous garlic butter all over them to coat.
6. Serve:
- Plate up the scallops with a drizzle of the garlic butter over the top.
- They’re fantastic with some fresh greens, a bit of pasta, or even just on their own with a wedge of lemon.
Enjoy your delicious scallops, mate! Simple, fresh, and packed with flavor.