Name: Seared Scallops With Red Chile Paste and Fennel Salad
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 small red chiles (such as Fresno or Holland), seeds removed, finely chopped; 2 teaspoons finely grated grapefruit zest; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 12 large sea scallops, side muscle removed, patted dry; 1 small fennel bulb, quartered through root end, thinly sliced lengthwise, plus 1/3 cup fennel fronds; 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar; 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice; Olive oil (for drizzling)

A plate with seared scallops and shaved fennel topped with a garnish of dill.

Photo by Alex Lau

Scallops: so meaty and delicious and yet so easy to overcook. That’s why we sear these on only one side, preserving the meltingly tender, near-raw texture on the other end.

Recipe information

Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

2 small red chiles (such as Fresno or Holland), seeds removed, finely chopped

2 teaspoons finely grated grapefruit zest

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

12 large sea scallops, side muscle removed, patted dry

1 small fennel bulb, quartered through root end, thinly sliced lengthwise, plus 1/3 cup fennel fronds

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice

Olive oil (for drizzling)

Preparation

Step 1
Using the side of a chef’s knife, mash chiles, grapefruit zest, and 1/4 tsp. salt to a paste on a cutting board. Set chile paste aside.
Step 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high until lightly smoking. Season scallops with salt; working in 2 batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, cook until edges begin to brown, about 1 minute. Transfer scallops to a platter, browned side up, and swipe some reserved chile paste on each.
Step 3
Toss fennel bulb with vinegar in a medium bowl to coat; season with salt.
Step 4
Pour grapefruit juice over scallops and top with fennel salad and fennel fronds; drizzle with olive oil.

TagsFresno Chile Chile Vegetable Scallop Shellfish Seafood Fennel Root Vegetable Grapefruit Citrus Fruit Main Dinner Dairy Free Gluten Free Nut Free Sear Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

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