Seared Scallops with Corn Purée and Pebre

Golden pan-seared scallops crown a silky sweet-corn purée with juicy, herbaceous tomato pebre for a restaurant-worthy late-summer dinner.

  • Total time: 40 min
  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Estimated total cost: $24
  • Calories per serving: 740 cal
  • Stovetop

Ingredients

  • Wild Caught Sea Scallops 10/20
    1 lb $15.99
  • Fresh On the Vine Red Tomatoes
    12 oz $2.49
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob
    3 ears $0.33
  • Walla Walla sweet onion
    2 oz $3.99
  • Fresh Anaheim pepper
    1 pepper $1.79
  • Organic cilantro
    1/4 cup chopped $1.69
  • heavy cream
    1/3 cup
  • unsalted butter
    2 tablespoons
  • extra-virgin olive oil
    1 tablespoon
  • neutral cooking oil
    1 tablespoon
  • red wine vinegar
    1 tablespoon
  • kosher salt
    2 teaspoons
  • ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon
  • water
    1/4 cup

Instructions

  1. Remove the small side muscles from 1 pound scallops and pat the scallops very dry. Season both sides with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, then refrigerate uncovered for 10 minutes while preparing the produce.

  2. Shuck 3 ears sweet corn and cut the kernels from the cobs. Core and dice 12 ounces tomatoes, finely mince 2 ounces Walla Walla sweet onion, seed and finely mince 1 Anaheim pepper, and chop 1/4 cup cilantro.

  3. Make the pebre by combining the prepared tomatoes, onion, Anaheim pepper, and cilantro with:

    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Let the pebre stand for 15 minutes while making the corn purée.

  4. Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the prepared corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add 1/3 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; simmer for 6 minutes, until the corn is tender. Carefully blend until smooth, then stir in 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and keep warm over low heat.

  5. Pat the seasoned scallops dry again. Heat 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the scallops with space between them and sear without moving for about 2 minutes, until deeply golden. Turn and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, pulling them at 125°F. Transfer to a plate and rest for 2 minutes.

  6. Spoon the warm corn purée onto two plates, arrange the seared scallops over it, and finish with the tomato pebre and its juices.

Drink pairing: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc complements the sweet scallops while matching the pebre’s herbal acidity.