A Restaurant-Worthy Dish in Under 30 Minutes
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and buttery flavors with these seared sea scallops paired with jammy cherry tomatoes. This gourmet dish comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it an elegant yet approachable meal for weeknights or special occasions. The bursting sweetness of slow-simmered cherry tomatoes enhances the rich, golden-browned scallops for a dish that’s both simple and sophisticated.
Why Cherry No. 9 Fall In Love Again® Tomatoes?
This recipe features Village Farms Cherry No. 9 Fall In Love Again® tomatoes, which are known for their extraordinary sweetness, vibrant red hue, and juicy texture. These tomatoes release a luscious, jam-like consistency when gently simmered, creating the perfect sauce to complement the delicate, buttery scallops. Their natural balance of acidity and sweetness enhances every bite, making this dish a standout.
Servings: 4
Ready in: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- ½ cup shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1 pound Village Farms Cherry No. 9 Fall In Love Again® tomatoes, halved
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 16 large sea scallops, tough muscle removed
- 2 tbsp. grapeseed oil, plus more as needed
- 1 lemon, halved
- Fresh basil and mint, julienned, for garnish
- Coarse sea salt, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Jammy Tomato Sauce
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter to melt.
- Stir in the shallots and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until tender but not browned.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine and simmer until half of the liquid has evaporated.
- Add the halved Cherry No. 9 Fall In Love Again® tomatoes, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes until the tomatoes release their juices and become soft and jammy.
- Transfer the tomato mixture to a small dish and wipe out the skillet with a damp paper towel.
- Sear the Scallops
- Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel to ensure a perfect sear.
- Heat the grapeseed oil in the skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is shimmering hot, carefully add half the scallops, spacing them evenly in the pan.
- Season lightly with kosher salt and let them cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
- Flip the scallops and cook for 1 more minute—avoid overcooking.
- Transfer the cooked scallops to a plate and repeat with the remaining batch, adding more oil if needed.
- Bring it All Together
- Drain any excess oil and remove the skillet from heat.
- Return the tomato mixture and its juices to the skillet.
- Squeeze in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Nestle the seared scallops into the warm tomato sauce.
- Finish with the zest from both lemon halves, julienned basil and mint, and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.
Enjoy Your Gourmet Meal!
Serve this elegant dish immediately, pairing it with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato sauce or alongside a light salad. The rich, buttery scallops combined with the jammy Cherry No. 9 Fall In Love Again® tomatoes create a dish that’s simple yet absolutely luxurious.
Perfect Pairing: Enjoy with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light, citrusy Pinot Grigio to complement the flavors.
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