Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Garlic Aioli Orzo

Kicking back and having loved ones and friends over for dinner is a fun way to spend an evening, a weekend get together or a holiday celebration. This recipe is so DELICIOUS and easy-to-make. Whip it up in under 30 minutes!

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Garlic Aioli Orzo

 

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Author: Maryann Ridini Spencer

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• PAN SEARED SEA SCALLOPS INGREDIENTS:
• 1 ¼ lbs. sea scallops
• 2 tsp. butter
• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 T. freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
• 1 tsp. lemon rind
• garlic salt and pepper
• GARLIC AIOLI ORZO INGREDIENTS:
• 6 garlic cloves, diced
• 1 large egg
• 1 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 T. freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ tsp. salt
• dash of black pepper
• ½ c. extra virgin olive oil
• Orzo (to serve four) prepared to package instructions
• ⅓ c. fire roasted red peppers, diced (or diced sundried tomatoes with olive oil drained)

Instructions

1. PAN SEARED SEA SCALLOP INSTRUCTIONS:
2. In a large bowl, add in scallops, garlic salt and pepper and toss.
3. In a skillet on the stovetop over high heat, add butter and oil.
4. When skillet is a little smoky, add in scallops.
5. Add in lemon or lime juice and lemon rind over tops of scallops.
6. Keep scallops from touching one another.
7. Cook for approximately 1-2 minutes until they have a slightly golden hue.
8. Serve immediately over the Garlic Aioli Orzo.
9. GARLIC AIOLI INSTRUCTIONS:
10. In a food possessor, add in garlic, egg, juices, salt and pepper.
11. Add in about a ⅛ of the oil in a slow stream. Blend. Continue 3 more times until all the oil is used. The mixture will be thick.
12. RECIPE PROCEDURE:
13. Make Garlic Aioli first, set aside.
14. Cook orzo for four to package instructions.
15. Drain orzo and place back into the pot; add in fire-roasted red peppers and desired amount of Aioli and stir.
16. Set aside.
17. In a skillet on the stove to, prepare the sea scallops.
18. In a large serving bowl, add in orzo.
19. Add scallops to the top of the orzo mixture and serve immediately.

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