Savour the quiet luxury of baked scallops enriched with fragrant garlic butter—a dish where delicacy meets depth with effortless grace. Each tender scallop yields softly to the fork, its natural sweetness heightened by a silky infusion of butter and gentle garlic. A whisper of smoked paprika lends warmth, while a golden crust of fine breadcrumbs offers a pleasing contrast of texture.
Refined yet comforting, this is a dish designed to linger over—equally at home beneath the glow of candlelight or as the centrepiece of an intimate gathering.
Prepare
Cook
Serving
Ingredients
From the Sea
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450g fresh sea scallops, carefully cleaned and gently patted dry
Aromatic Notes
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3 cloves garlic, finely minced
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2 tablespoons fresh parsley, delicately chopped
Butter & Richness
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60g unsalted butter, melted until silky
Seasoning & Brightness
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½ teaspoon paprika, for a gentle warmth
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½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
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2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
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¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
To Finish
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30g fine breadcrumbs (panko or crushed crackers, for a light crisp)
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Lemon wedges, for serving and a final lift of freshness
Method
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat the oven to 200°C, allowing it to come fully to temperature for an even, golden finish.
2. Create the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth and fragrant.
3. Arrange with Care
Place the scallops in a single, well-spaced layer within a baking dish, ensuring each one has room to cook gently and evenly.
4. Coat & Finish
Spoon the garlic butter generously over the scallops, allowing it to pool lightly around them. If desired, scatter a fine layer of breadcrumbs across the surface for a delicate crisp.
5. Bake to Perfection
Transfer to the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, until the scallops turn opaque and yield softly when pressed.
6. Rest & Serve
Allow to rest briefly for a minute or two, then serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for a bright, elegant finish.
Helpful Tips
For a more refined presentation, nestle the scallops atop a bed of velvety lemon risotto, where each spoonful offers a delicate balance of richness and brightness. The buttery scallops melt effortlessly into the creamy grains, their gentle garlic warmth lifted by the citrusy notes beneath.
Finish with a scattering of fresh parsley and a final squeeze of lemon, allowing the dish to glisten with freshness and quiet elegance.
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Seared Scallops in Fragrant Garlic Butter
Ingredients
Method
-
Preheat the oven to 200°C, allowing it to come fully to temperature for an even, golden finish.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth and fragrant.
-
Place the scallops in a single, well-spaced layer within a baking dish, ensuring each one has room to cook gently and evenly.
-
Spoon the garlic butter generously over the scallops, allowing it to pool lightly around them. If desired, scatter a fine layer of breadcrumbs across the surface for a delicate crisp.
-
Transfer to the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, until the scallops turn opaque and yield softly when pressed.
-
Allow to rest briefly for a minute or two, then serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for a bright, elegant finish.
Notes
Finish with a scattering of fresh parsley and a final squeeze of lemon, allowing the dish to glisten with freshness and quiet elegance.
Discover more from Hartwell Kitchen with Flora Ashbury
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