SAUTéED SCALLOPS

Sautéed Scallops image

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/3 pound very fresh sea scallops*
All-purpose flour for dredging
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons light olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 fat shallot, minced
A splash of white wine
A sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

Dredge the scallops in flour. Heat the butter and oil in a large heavy skillet over high heat, and when it is sizzling, shake the excess flour from the scallops and scatter them in the hot pan. Keep the heat high, and turn and move the scallops around frequently, giving the pan a shake now and then. Total cooking time should not be more than 3 minutes-or 4 for really large pieces. Season the scallops lightly with salt and several grindings of the pepper mill, and remove them to a warm plate. Lower the heat to moderate, and toss the shallot into the pan. Stir it around for about 30 seconds, splash in the wine, and let it reduce slightly. Pour this sauce over the scallops, scraping up every bit of pan juice with a spatula. Sprinkle the parsley on top.
Variation
Sometimes I wrap a band of prosciutto around the circumference of each scallop and secure it with a toothpick. These can be broiled, or sautéed as above. The sharp saltiness of the prosciutto, along with the briny taste of the scallops, creates a striking combination of flavors.