Ingredients
3
tablespoons unsalted butter
½
cup thinly sliced shallots (about 2 shallots)
2
garlic cloves, minced
¼
cup dry white wine, such as muscadet or sauvignon blanc
1
pound cherry tomatoes, cut in half through the stem (about 3 cups tomatoes)
Kosher salt and black pepper
16
large sea scallops (about 1 pound), tough muscle removed
2
tablespoons grapeseed oil, plus more as needed
1
lemon, halved
Julienned fresh basil and mint, for serving
Coarse sea salt, for serving
Preparation
- Heat a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-low and add the butter to melt. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender but not browned. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the wine and cook until about half the liquid has evaporated.
- Add the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tomatoes have released their juices and almost completely collapsed. Transfer the tomato mixture to a small dish (use a rubber spatula to get every last bit of the sauce!), then carefully wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel.
- Pat the scallops dry. Add the grapeseed oil to the skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the oil is very hot, add half the scallops, spacing them evenly in the pan, and season with kosher salt. Cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and cook for 1 more minute. Don’t overcook! Transfer the scallops to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil if necessary.
- Drain any remaining oil and take the skillet off the heat. Return the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet and squeeze in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Return the scallops to the skillet, nestling them into the tomatoes. Top with the zest of both lemon halves, julienned basil and mint, and a generous sprinkle of coarse sea salt, and serve immediately.
