Delicious Garlic Butter Scallops
This mouthwatering garlic butter scallop recipe is a family favorite that brings a taste of the ocean to your dinner table. Sourced from my mother-in-law's beloved recipe collection, it showcases the tender sweetness of scallops enhanced by a rich garlic and white wine sauce. With just a handful of ingredients and simple cooking techniques, you can whip up a gourmet dish that will impress your guests while being incredibly easy to prepare. Perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, serve these scallops over a bed of sautéed greens or with a side of crusty bread to soak up the flavors.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
large scallops
4-5 (thawed and patted dry)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
white wine
1/2 cup (none)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
butter
2 tablespoons (divided)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by thawing the scallops if they are frozen. Pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure a good sear.
2
In a large sauté pan, heat a tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
3
Carefully place 4-5 scallops in the pan, leaving space between them. Sear for 90 seconds on one side without moving them, allowing for a nice brown crust to form.
4
Gently flip the scallops and sear for another 90 seconds, then remove them from the pan and set aside on a warm plate.
5
Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the garlic is golden brown and aromatic, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
6
Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the wine to reduce by half, which will intensify the flavor.
7
Once reduced, remove the pan from heat and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
8
Stir in the chopped parsley and swirl in the remaining tablespoon of butter until melted and well combined.
9
To serve, create a pool of sauce on a plate, place the seared scallops on top, and garnish with additional parsley if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary dish featured in this recipe?
The primary dish is Delicious Garlic Butter Scallops, which features tender scallops in a rich garlic and white wine sauce.
How many scallops does this recipe specifically call for?
The recipe calls for 4-5 large scallops.
What is the recommended searing time for the scallops?
The scallops should be seared for 90 seconds on each side without moving them to ensure a nice brown crust forms.
Should I thaw frozen scallops before cooking?
Yes, you should begin by thawing the scallops if they are frozen and patting them dry with a paper towel.
Why is it important to pat the scallops dry?
Patting the scallops dry with a paper towel is essential to ensure a good, crispy sear in the pan.
What type of sauce is made for this dish?
The dish features a garlic butter and white wine reduction sauce flavored with fresh parsley.
How much white wine is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of white wine.
How much garlic should I prepare?
The recipe uses 1 clove of garlic, minced.
How much butter is needed in total?
A total of 2 tablespoons of butter is used, divided between the searing process and the final sauce assembly.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first cooking step is to heat a tablespoon of butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
What should I do with the pan bits after searing the scallops?
You should pour in the white wine and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate them into the sauce.
By how much should the white wine be reduced?
The white wine should be allowed to reduce by half to intensify the flavor of the sauce.
When should I add the fresh parsley?
Stir in the chopped parsley after the wine has reduced and the pan has been removed from the heat.
How do I finish the sauce?
Finish the sauce by swirling in the remaining tablespoon of butter until it is melted and well combined with the wine reduction.
What are some recommended side dishes for these scallops?
The recipe recommends serving the scallops over sautéed greens or with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a low carb diet?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as low carb, making it a great option for those monitoring their carbohydrate intake.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, with short searing times and a quick pan sauce, it is tagged as a 'quick dinner'.
Where does this recipe originate from?
This recipe is sourced from the mother-in-law's beloved recipe collection of the author.
How should I plate the dish?
Create a pool of sauce on a plate, place the seared scallops on top, and garnish with additional parsley.
What level of heat should I use for searing?
A medium-high heat is recommended for the initial sear to develop a proper crust.
What should I do if the garlic starts to burn?
The instructions suggest stirring frequently to prevent burning while sautéing the garlic until it is golden brown.
How many total ingredients are required?
There are 7 ingredients: scallops, garlic, white wine, parsley, butter, salt, and pepper.
Can this recipe be considered a gourmet meal?
Yes, it is described as a gourmet dish that will impress guests despite being easy to prepare.
What kind of parsley should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped.
When should salt and pepper be added?
Salt and pepper should be added to the sauce after the wine has reduced and the pan is removed from the heat.
What should the garlic look like before adding wine?
The garlic should be sautéed until it is golden brown and aromatic.
How should the scallops be positioned in the pan?
The scallops should be placed carefully in the pan with space between them to ensure they sear rather than steam.
What are the key flavor profiles of this dish?
The key flavors are tender sweetness from the scallops combined with rich garlic and an acidic, intensified white wine sauce.
Is this a good recipe for a special occasion?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for a special occasion or an elegant weeknight dinner.
What is the recommended preparation for the garlic clove?
The garlic clove should be minced before being added to the pan.