Lunch / Dinner
Cider Seared Scallops with Wilted Garlicky Spinach
Scallops are one of the quickest cooking proteins you can choose. And when you use only one pan to bring each component of this dish together, you know it’s a keeper. Finish with a drizzle of dreamy cider sauce for an elegant meal that can be made on any night of the week.
Ingredients
SAUTÉ:
BRUSH:
OFF HEAT, WHISK IN:
Test Kitchen Tip
The key to cooking scallops is to get the pan really hot so the scallops sizzle when they hit the surface, then leave them for about 3 minutes before flipping.
Instructions
Sauté garlic in 2 Tbsp. oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until softened, 2 minutes. Add spinach and sauté until wilted, 3–5 minutes; season with salt and pepper flakes. Transfer spinach to a bowl; keep warm. Wipe out the pan and return it to the stove top over medium-high heat.
Brush scallops with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and black pepper. Add any leftover oil to pan, add scallops, and sear until they easily release, 3 minutes. Flip scallops and sear until cooked through, 3 minutes more; transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Sauté shallots in same pan until softened; deglaze pan with cider, scraping up any brown bits. Whisk in tomato paste, Dijon, and vinegar; bring to a boil and simmer sauce until reduced to ½ cup, about 5 minutes.
Off heat, whisk in butter. Divide spinach among serving plates; top with scallops and sauce.
Just briefly cook fresh spinach in a sauté pan until it wilts, then keep warm until ready to serve.
Searing the scallops develops fond in the pan, which is the base for the flavorful sauce.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per serving
Calories: 295
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 33%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 41mg 13%
Sodium 359mg 14%
Carbs 18g 6%
Fiber 4g 16%
Protein 8g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.