Sautéed Scallops with Garlic
You can make this with sea scallops or true bay scallops (which are rare and quite expensive); don't bother to try it with the tiny calicos, which are guaranteed to overcook and become rubbery. If you look at a sea scallop, you'll see a little starkwhite hinge on one side; remove that if you have the time; it's much chewier than the rest of the meat. And if you're lucky enough to find scallops with their roe (it's red or beige; you'll know it when you see it), by all means use them here.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter or more oil
- 2 pounds sea scallops, cut in half horizontally if very large
- Flour for dredging
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Chopped fresh chervil or parsley leaves or chives for garnish
Instructions:
- Put the oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet and turn the heat to medium-high; begin to dredge the scallops lightly in the flour. When the butter foam subsides, add the scallops swiftly but not all at once. Turn them individually, as they brown, allowing about 2 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper as they cook.
-  Once you have turned all the scallops, add the garlic and lower the heat a bit. Stir or, even better, shake the pan gently so the garlic cooks a bit and is distributed among the scallops. Garnish and serve.