Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsOBO' Italian Table & BarPan Seared Sea Scallops Recipe

Pan Seared Sea Scallops Recipe

Time1h
Serves4

Parsnip Puree, Crispy Braised Leeks, Meyer Lemon Butter

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Ingredients

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For the Parsnip Puree

For the Crispy Braised Leeks

For the Meyer Lemon Butter

For the Sea Scallops

Method

For the Parsnip Puree

  1. 1

    Prepare the Parsnips

    Peel and chop the parsnips into small pieces.

  2. 2

    Cook the Parsnips

    Place the chopped parsnips in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.

  3. 3

    Make the Puree

    Drain the parsnips and return them to the pot. Add heavy cream, butter, salt, and black pepper. Use an immersion blender or a food processor to blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

For the Crispy Braised Leeks

  1. 4

    Prepare the Leeks

    Trim the roots and dark green tops from the leeks and slice them lengthwise. Rinse well to remove any grit.

  2. 5

    Braised Leeks

    In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, then add vegetable broth. Cover and cook on low heat for 15 minutes or until tender.

  3. 6

    Crisp the Leeks

    Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Continue cooking until the liquid evaporates and the leeks become crispy, stirring occasionally.

For the Meyer Lemon Butter

  1. 7

    Make the Lemon Butter

    In a small saucepan, melt the stick of butter over low heat. Stir in Meyer lemon juice and zest. Keep warm until ready to use.

For the Sea Scallops

  1. 8

    Prepare the Scallops

    Pat the sea scallops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.

  2. 9

    Sear the Scallops

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the scallops in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

  3. 10

    Plate the Dish

    On each plate, create a bed of parsnip puree, top with crispy leeks, and place seared scallops on top. Drizzle with Meyer lemon butter before serving.

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