Seared scallops are super quick to cook and really delicious. Paired up with the greens and orso pasta this recipe delivers a really satisfying meal.

Preparation time will be about 10-12 minutes. Allow 25 minutes for cooking time. The quantities below will serve 4 people

Ingredients For Seared Scallops

12 large king scallops (roe removed) from Walter Purkis & Sons
200g fresh greens (rocket leaf, chard, baby spinach)
100g diced tomatoes (no seeds)
440g dried orzo

For the Garlic Chilli Oil

2 red onions, finely chopped
2 red chillies, finely chopped (seeds in)
4 Anchovy fillets finely chopped
1 sprig of thyme
1 bay leaf
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
100g sun dried tomatoes in oil, process to pulp
1 lemon, juice of ¼ lemon zested with vegetable peeler
rapeseed oil or olive oil
80g basil – optional
sea salt and black pepper

Cooking Method For  Seared Scallops

For the Garlic Chilli Oil

Cook onions in saucepan over medium to low heat, season with sea salt & black pepper. Add thyme and bay leaf and cook until onions are soft and have no colour.
Then add chilli, garlic and anchovies, cook out 3 minutes then add all other ingredients and remove from heat. Adjust consistency with rapeseed oil. Store in fridge for up to 1 week. Finish with chopped basil.

 For The Pasta

Bring a large pot of water up to a hard boil, season with plenty of sea salt, cook orzo for 10 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking warm the chilli garlic oil in separate pan along with the diced tomato and then remove from the heat.

For the Scallops

Cut scallops in half, place “cut side” facing up on a baking sheet and season with sea salt and pepper.

Place non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Add a little oil and butter. When the butter starts to turn brown, quickly and carefully place in the scallops “cut side” down into the frying pan. Cook until golden and turn over, then remove from heat and keep in the pan be warned they are done very quickly.

Add hot cooked pasta to warm chilli oil, toss in the greens and approximately 2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water. Mix together, split between 4 plates and top with scallops. Serve right away.

This seared scallops recipe comes from www.fishisthedish.co.uk Give them a visit for more great fishy recipes.