Name: Date Night Sea Scallops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Other
Ingredients: 8 scallops; 4 tablespoons ghee; 1 tbsp olive oil; Flaked sea salt; black pepper; 1 lemon; 1 tbsp Dairy-Free Pesto; 2 cups zucchini noodles

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Date Night Sea Scallops

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

In a large skillet on high heat, melt together ghee and olive oil. Once hot, reduce heat to medium-high.

Pat scallops dry with a paper towel and season liberally with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

Carefully place scallops into skillet, cooking for 3 minutes. Use tongs or a spatula to flip and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until a browned “crust” forms and scallops are cooked through.

Plate scallops on a bed of prepared squash or zucchini noodles. Garnish with Dairy-Free Pesto and zested lemon.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Dry Your Scallops Thoroughly 🏜️
Pat scallops completely dry with paper towels before searing—moisture is the enemy of a golden crust. This single step is what separates restaurant-quality results from steamed scallops.
Use Ghee for Superior Searing 🧈
Ghee has a higher smoke point than regular butter, allowing you to achieve a beautiful golden crust without burning. Heat the ghee until it's shimmering but not smoking for optimal browning in just 90 seconds per side.
Season Only Before Cooking 🧂
Apply sea salt and black pepper immediately before searing, not ahead of time, to prevent the salt from drawing out moisture and creating a soggy surface.
Don't Overcrowd the Pan 🍳
Leave space between each scallop so steam can escape and allow proper searing. Cook in batches if necessary—overcrowding will steam them instead of sear them.
Emulsify Pesto with Pasta Water 🌿
Toss hot zucchini noodles with a splash of reserved cooking water before adding pesto—this helps the pesto cling to the delicate noodles and creates a silky, cohesive sauce.