Imagine impressing your dinner guests with a restaurant-worthy dish that looks gourmet but is surprisingly simple to prepare. These succulent scallops paired with vibrant Swiss chard and aromatic garlic will transform your kitchen into a five-star culinary experience in just 25 minutes. Get ready to elevate your home cooking game with this mouthwatering recipe that promises restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- Scallops
- Garlic
- Swiss chard
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: fresh scallops, garlic, Swiss chard, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure the scallops are thawed if previously frozen and patted dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear.
- Rinse the Swiss chard under cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Shake off excess water and then chop the leaves and stems into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Peel and finely mince 2-3 cloves of garlic. Adjust the amount based on your preference for garlic flavor.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Allow the oil to heat until it shimmers but is not smoking.
- Season the scallops on both sides with salt and pepper. Carefully place the scallops in the skillet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Sear for about 2-3 minutes without moving them, until a golden crust forms on one side.
- Using tongs, gently flip the scallops over and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, basting the scallops with the oil and garlic as they cook.
- Once the scallops are opaque and cooked through, remove them from the skillet and place them on a plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped Swiss chard stems first. Sauté for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften, then add the leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and continue cooking until the Swiss chard is wilted, about another 2-3 minutes.
- Return the scallops to the skillet with the Swiss chard, gently tossing to combine and heat through for about 1 minute.
- Plate the scallops alongside the sautéed Swiss chard, drizzling any remaining garlic-infused oil from the skillet over the top for added flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious scallops with garlic and Swiss chard!
Tips
- Pat scallops completely dry before cooking to achieve that golden, crispy sear. Moisture is the enemy of a perfect crust!
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and ensure it's hot before adding scallops to get the ideal caramelization.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - give scallops space to sear properly, which means cooking in batches if necessary.
- Cook scallops for no more than 2-3 minutes per side to prevent them from becoming tough and rubbery.
- Fresh is best! Choose fresh, high-quality sea scallops for the most tender and flavorful result.
- The garlic should be added towards the end of cooking to prevent burning and maintain its delicate flavor.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the scallops at their peak texture and temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 35mg
