A light yet elegant dish featuring tender asparagus drizzled with a zesty lemon butter sauce and paired with perfectly seared scallops, ideal for a gourmet dinner or special occasion.
Author:Emma Harper
Prep Time:10 mins
Cook Time:15 mins
Total Time:25 mins
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Pan-Seared
Cuisine:Modern American
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb asparagus, trimmed
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb sea scallops, patted dry
2 tbsp unsalted butter (for scallops)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the asparagus for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in lemon juice and zest. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Season scallops with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear scallops for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan; work in batches if needed.
Arrange asparagus on a plate, drizzle with lemon butter sauce, and top with seared scallops.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Dry scallops thoroughly to get a perfect sear.
Do not overcook scallops—they should be opaque and slightly springy.
White wine can be added to the sauce for extra flavor.