Description
Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn and Tomatoes is a simple yet elegant seafood dish, featuring tender scallops with a creamy herb butter sauce. Fresh corn and juicy tomatoes add sweetness, balancing the savory richness of the dish. Perfect for a date night, dinner party, or light summer meal, this recipe is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 lb large scallops (fresh or thawed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
- 1 ½ cups fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears of corn or 1 ½ cups frozen corn)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added brightness)
Instructions
- Prepare the Scallops: Start by patting the scallops dry with a paper towel. This helps remove any moisture, which will allow them to sear properly. Season both sides of the scallops with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Scallops: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the olive oil. Place the scallops in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they form a golden-brown crust and are opaque in the center. Remove the scallops from the pan and set them aside.
- Cook the Corn and Tomatoes: In the same pan, add the butter and let it melt. Add the corn kernels and sauté for about 3 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes release their juices and begin to soften.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in the fresh chives and parsley, allowing the herbs to cook for about 1 minute. Season the corn and tomato mixture with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
- Serve: Place the corn and tomato mixture on a plate or platter. Arrange the seared scallops on top and drizzle with any remaining juices from the pan. Garnish with more fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pat dry your scallops: This step ensures a good sear and prevents the scallops from steaming in the pan.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give the scallops plenty of room to cook evenly. If you have a lot of scallops, cook them in batches.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh corn and ripe tomatoes really make this dish shine, so try to use the best-quality ingredients you can find.
- Add butter at the right time: Once the scallops are done, you can use the same pan to make the corn and tomato mixture, capturing all those delicious flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scallop with vegetables
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Pan-Seared Scallops, Corn and Tomatoes, Herb Butter Scallops, Seafood Pasta, Summer Seafood Dish, Elegant Scallop Recipes