Description
Succulent sea scallops nestle in a bourbon jalapeño cream sauce that balances rich, spicy, and creamy notes. Chefs can elevate weeknight dinners with this elegant Southern-inspired dish that delivers complex flavors in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 sea scallops, rinsed and patted dry
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps (28 g) butter, cubed
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) bourbon whiskey
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
- 0.5 tbsps (7.5 ml) lemon juice
- 0.5 tbsps minced garlic
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp pepper
- 0.33 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed and chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly pat sea scallops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper, ensuring maximum surface contact for optimal caramelization.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, carefully arrange scallops without overcrowding, allowing each to develop a golden-brown crust.
- Butter Enhancement: Add butter and lemon juice during cooking, creating a rich, tangy glaze that elevates the scallops’ natural sweetness.
- Cooking Precision: Sear scallops 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a beautiful amber exterior while maintaining a translucent, tender interior.
- Sauce Foundation: Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and introduce fresh olive oil, then gently sweat minced garlic and diced jalapenos to release their aromatic essence.
- Flavor Layering: Deglaze pan with bourbon, allowing the alcohol to reduce and concentrate its complex flavor profile, then pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a velvety sauce.
- Sauce Refinement: Incorporate butter, adjust seasoning, and simmer until the sauce reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.
- Plating: Cascade bourbon jalapeno cream sauce over seared scallops and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a vibrant, herbaceous finale.
Notes
- Dry Scallops Thoroughly: Moisture prevents perfect caramelization, so use paper towels to remove excess liquid completely for golden-brown searing.
- Temperature Control Matters: Medium-high heat ensures crispy exterior while maintaining tender, delicate scallop interior without overcooking.
- Avoid Overcrowding Pan: Space scallops apart to allow proper heat circulation, preventing steaming and supporting ideal caramelized crust development.
- Bourbon Sauce Intensity: Reduce bourbon slowly to concentrate flavors and burn off alcohol, creating a rich, deep complexity in the cream sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 448
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 361 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 108 mg