Imagine a dish that transforms an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience in just 35 minutes. These French-inspired scallops bathed in a luxurious cream sauce with tender spinach are not just a meal—they're a culinary journey that promises to elevate your home cooking from mundane to magnificent. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner or looking to impress your guests, this recipe is your secret weapon to gourmet dining without the hefty restaurant price tag.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Scallops
- Heavy cream
- Spinach
- Garlic, minced
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Pat the scallops dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a perfect golden sear. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Ensure the pan is hot but not smoking to create a beautiful golden crust on the scallops.
- Place scallops in the skillet, leaving space between each one to prevent steaming. Sear for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown caramelized exterior and are just cooked through.
- Remove scallops from the pan and set aside on a warm plate. Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to incorporate the garlic and capture all the flavorful browned bits from the scallops. Simmer the cream for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Add fresh spinach to the cream sauce, stirring until the spinach wilts and becomes tender, approximately 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring to create a smooth, creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Return the seared scallops to the skillet, gently coating them in the cream sauce. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm through.
- Serve immediately, spooning the spinach cream sauce over the scallops and garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Moisture is the enemy of a perfect sear! Always pat scallops completely dry with paper towels before cooking.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and ensure it's hot enough—but not smoking—to achieve that gorgeous golden-brown crust.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. Give each scallop breathing room to prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Cook scallops for only 2-3 minutes per side to prevent them from becoming rubbery.
- Fresh, high-quality scallops make a tremendous difference in the final dish's flavor and texture.
- Have all ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking, as this recipe moves quickly.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the most vibrant flavor in your cream sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 95mg
