Seared scallops with lemon, asparagus and thyme

For those of you who follow me, I apologize for the onslaught of recipe-related posts lately... but I'm trying to complete the 30 recipes challenge... and of course, I decided to procrastinate, so the majority of cooking has taken place over the past 2-3 weeks... note to self: plan, better.  Kthx.

So I went to the last farmers market until October (unlike up North, where the farmers markets only show up during the summer, the West Palm Beach farmers market takes a break July - September... I assume because it's F'ing hot out?) and saw a gorgeous bunches of asparagus, and found some jumbo scallops, and so I decided to see if I could find a recipe in my giant "to make" recipe binder, and I got lucky.

Without further ado, Seared scallops with lemon, asparagus and thyme... get ready for crunch, citrus, and earth to combine in one harmonious dish...

Start by slicing your asparagus at a bias...

...Zest a lemon, and also mince some shallot...

...Chop up some fresh thyme...

....And now you're ready to start cooking!  Pat dry your scallops...

...then add them to a pan with 2 T olive oil and SEAR, baby, sear! Pro tip: cook in batches ;)

...remove scallops from pan, set aside, and now add shallots. Cook for 2 minutes and then add thyme, lemon and asparagus, cooking for another 2 minutes...

...add scallops back to pan, coating with the lemon/shallot/thyme mixture...

....and then you get to eat the sh*t out of it, as my friend Jason did...

Here's the full recipe!


Seared scallops with lemon, asparagus and thyme
Adapted from this recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup diced shallots 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 tsp lemon zest 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut on the bias into 1 inch pieces 1 1/4 lb scallops, rinsed and patted dry 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 2 cups cooked brown rice - See more at: http://krisatnourished.healthcoach1.integrativenutrition.com/scallop-and-asparagus-saute-lemon-and-thyme#sthash.kHRuiR3H.dpuf

2 T olive oil
1/4 cup diced shallots
1 T chopped fresh thyme
2 t lemon zest
1 bunch asparagus
1 1/4 lbs jumbo sea scallops
2 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Slice asparagus on a bias.
2. Mince shallots, zest lemon, and chop thyme.
3. Heat 1 T oil in large skillet.  Pat dry scallops, season with salt and pepper, and sear on each side for 1-2 minutes. Remove scallops to plate and let rest.
4. Heat remaining oil in same skillet, add shallots and cook about 2 minutes.
5. Add thyme, lemon zest and asparagus and cook for about 1 minute.
6. Add scallops back to the pan, covering with veggies, and then drizzle with lemon juice.  Season with salt and pepper.
7. Plate.
8. Dig in. Enjoy.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook about 2 min. Add thyme, lemon zest and asparagus and cook, stirring until asparagus softens slightly, about 1 min.
Stir in scallops, cover and reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally until scallops are opaque and asparagus is crisp-tender, 4-5 min. Drizzle with lemon juice , season with salt and pepper and serve with accumulated juices over brown rice if desired.
- See more at: http://krisatnourished.healthcoach1.integrativenutrition.com/scallop-and-asparagus-saute-lemon-and-thyme#sthash.kHRuiR3H.dpuf

2 Tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup diced shallots 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 tsp lemon zest 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut on the bias into 1 inch pieces 1 1/4 lb scallops, rinsed and patted dry 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 2 cups cooked brown rice - See more at: http://krisatnourished.healthcoach1.integrativenutrition.com/scallop-and-asparagus-saute-lemon-and-thyme#sthash.kHRuiR3H.dpuf

2 Tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup diced shallots 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 tsp lemon zest 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut on the bias into 1 inch pieces 1 1/4 lb scallops, rinsed and patted dry 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 2 cups cooked brown rice - See more at: http://krisatnourished.healthcoach1.integrativenutrition.com/scallop-and-asparagus-saute-lemon-and-thyme#sthash.kHRuiR3H.dpuf