Seared Scallops

Scallops were on sale last week so it was the perfect excuse for me to buy them especially because I love them so much. Even though they were on sale, they were still expensive so I only bought three in case I ruined them. Last year when I cooked scallops, I overcooked them and they tasted awful. Fortunately this time I was able to sear my scallops to perfection! I adjusted this recipe as 3 scallops is not enough for 2 people!
Ingredients
6 scallops
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper

Directions
Wash your scallops with cool water. If you use warm water, you will prematurely start cooking the scallops which you do not want to do! After you wash your scallops, set them aside on a paper towel and let dry for 10 minutes.

While the scallops are drying, place your olive oil in a skillet and get the pan super hot! When I say super hot, I mean your pan should almost be smoking. Make sure you have the vent on over the stove and make sure you open the doors to ventilate!
***Do not use a nonstick pan because it takes longer to heat and chemicals tend to leach out of this type of pan when you get it this hot.

Season the scallops with a pinch (no more) of salt and pepper. Using tongs, place the scallops in the sizzling hot pan. Do not overcrowd the pan with scallops. Make sure there is space in between each of the scallops. Cook the scallops for no longer than 2 minutes on each side. This is very important because it is very easy to overcook scallops.

This is what the scallops should look like when you flip them after two minutes!

If you cook your scallops following these exact directions, you will get that perfect sear and brown edge on the scallop which makes them so delicious! Scallops are great served over couscous! I was so excited to eat my scallops that I forgot about presentation, hence the ugly picture and my terrible plating job!

FYI: I had a difficult time cleaning my pan when I finished cooking these suckers! I found that a scrubbing brush, baking soda, and hot water did the trick and made my pan look brand new!

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