Seared Scallops with Sweet Pea, Lemon & Tarragon Risotto

These Seared Scallops with Sweet Pea, Lemon & Tarragon Risotto are the perfect romantic dinner to make at home to celebrate Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or other special occasion.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope that you all have fun plans to celebrate the occasion – Whether with your significant other or with girlfriends. We will be headed out to a local restaurant here in Portland to celebrate with bubbles, oysters, and a 4-course seafood feast. I don’t know what it is about seafood, but it just hits me as the best way to celebrate special occasions. Well… That and bubbles…

If you’re staying in this Valentine’s Day, may I suggest cooking up this special dish? I prepared it a couple weeks ago for a wine company that I’m doing some freelance work for. Creamy risotto is livened up with a bit of fresh lemon and lively tarragon – Setting the “bed” for these perfectly seared scallops – You’re guaranteed to win hearts with this dish…

This is also a perfect dish to cook as a couple as one of you can be working on the risotto, while the other can be setting the table, popping the bubbles, and searing the scallops at the last minute. Just add red roses and candlelight… It might even be a good idea to check if your local market carries fresh-shucked oysters – They’d be the perfect way to start things off. And to finish, may I suggest either this Crème Brulee or these Butterscotch Bourbon Budinos with Salted Caramel Sauce? With both of these desserts, the work can be primarily done ahead of time, leaving you free to just enjoy your evening with the one you love.

Do you tend to stay in or go out for Valentine’s Day? I’d love to hear how you like to celebrate in the comments below!

Seared Scallops with Sweet Pea, Lemon & Tarragon Risotto

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Author: Erin

These Seared Scallops with Sweet Pea, Lemon & Tarragon Risotto are the perfect romantic dinner to make at home to celebrate Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or other special occasion.

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Ingredients

Risotto:

• 1 cup frozen peas
• 4 cups bone broth or chicken stock
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped leek about 2
• 1/2 cup chopped shallot about 1
• 1 cup Arborio rice uncooked
• 1/4 cup dry vermouth or white wine
• 1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Seared Scallops:

• 12 large sea scallops
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Bring bone broth or chicken stock to a simmer in a small saucepan and keep warm over low heat.
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add leek and shallots to pan, cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Add rice and cook 1 minute, until it becomes translucent. Add vermouth and allow to evaporate, about 30 seconds. Stir in 1 ladle of stock and cook until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add remaining stock, 1 ladle at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of stock is absorbed before adding the next (about 25 minutes total). Stir in frozen peas and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, tarragon and butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat 1/2 cup of oil until shimmering. Pat the scallops dry and season with salt and pepper. Add the scallops to the skillet and cook over high heat until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Add the butter to the skillet. Turn the scallops over and cook just until white throughout, 2 minutes longer.
4. To serve: Plate the risotto into four bowls, top each with three of the seared scallops. Serve immediately.

Wine Pairings for Seared Scallops with Sweet Pea, Lemon & Tarragon Risotto:

• An unoaked Chardonnay would be perfect with this risotto and scallops – It’s butteriness and hints of citrus will pair very nicely.
• Pinot Gris has a nice acidity will cut through the richness of the dish and help to brighten the citrus flavor even further.
• Sparkling wine has an effervescence that mingles nicely with the rich, creamy flavors of the risotto. Here are some budget friendly sparkling wine options.

Looking for more scallop recipes? Try these Seared Scallops with Fennel & Blood Orange.