Go Back Email Link
Thesimplyluxuriouslife.com | The Simply Luxurious Life

Pan Seared Oregon Sea Scallops with Butter Lemon Caper Sauce

Simply LuxuriousSimply Luxurious
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 pound sea scallops large
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • kosher salt for seasoning
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 pound angle hair pasta whole wheat is seen in the image, but cook's choice
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup chardonnary wine choose a wine that you enjoy drinking
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice zest the lemon first and set aside to top the pasta with when tossed
  • 2 tablespoons capers rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon Italian flat leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in 1/2 or 1/4
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese fresh and grated

Instructions
 

Pan Seared Scallops

  • Pat dry each scallop. While drying the scallops, heat up a stainless steel skillet to medium heat with two tablespoons of olive oil. Wait for the pan to get hot and the oil begins to make subtle waves.
  • Season both sides of the scallops with salt and place in the pan without crowding. Cook the scallops on the first side and do not move them, enabling them to create a brown finish. After about three minutes, add one tablespoon of butter and turn the scallops and allow the second side to caramelize. This will take about 2 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, remove the scallops to their own private plate, but keep the pan with the renderings (set aside for now).

Butter Lemon Caper Sauce

  • Bring a large pasta pot to boil. Add salt. While it comes to a boil, make the sauce.
  • Use the pan used to sear the scallops. Turn the heat to medium and add one tablespoon of butter and the garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is only lightly brown and the garlic becomes fragrant.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high heat and add the wine. Let the sauce simmer until the wine is reduced by half - about three minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth, lemon juice and capers and turn the heat to high. Cook until the sauce is reduced by half which will take about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and add the final tablespoon of butter, whisking to combine. Taste the sauce and then season with salt and pepper to suit your taste.

Finishing the Dish

  • Cook the angel hair pasta. When al dente (about four minutes), drain and add the pasta to the sauce. Add the parsley, lemon zest and the tomatoes.
  • Place the pasta onto the single serving dishes, top with 2-3 scallops and finish with freshly grated Parmesan.