LEMON BUTTERED SEARED SCALLOPS

Lemon Buttered Seared Scallops image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

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1 pound dry sea scallops (12 to 15 scallops), side muscles removed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons Compound Lemon Butter, recipe follows
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

Place the scallops on a paper towel-lined sheet tray and pat dry. Sprinkle the scallops with salt and pepper.
Preheat a large nonstick saute pan on medium-high heat, then add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the scallops and sear on one side until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Gently turn the scallops over and add the Lemon Butter, basting the scallops by gently spooning the melting butter over the top, for about 1 minute.
Add the wine and lemon juice and allow the scallops to simmer until they are cooked through, another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the scallops to a platter and sprinkle with the chives.
Combine the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt in a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon the butter onto the lower third of a piece of plastic wrap. Fold the plastic wrap over the butter and use a spatula to compress the butter into a log about 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. Twist both ends of the plastic wrap to seal the butter inside. Refrigerate the butter until firm, at least 30 minutes, before using.