FrenchMedium · Hot
Pan-seared scallops with a bright herb butter and crisp radish rounds. This is not brunch. It is lunch done properly, or a dinner that knows what it wants.
35 min
10 min
45 min
Method
Bring 3 tablespoons butter for the herb butter to room temperature, about 30 minutes on the counter. Do not rush this.
Trim and thinly slice the radishes into rounds, roughly 3mm thick. You need about 18-20 rounds.
Pat the scallops completely dry with paper towels. Any moisture is the enemy of a proper sear. Season with salt and black pepper on both sides.
[" Use an instant-read thermometer to verify internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C)."]
Arrange the cooked radish rounds on each plate. Place 2 scallops alongside. Serve immediately.
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -1
Calories
496
per serving
Protein
43g
Carbs
14g
Fat
30g
Sat. fat
18g
Fiber
10g
Sugar
6g
Sodium
914mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Estimated footprint
Grade pending · 85% ingredient coverage
kg CO2e
≥0.4
per serving
tablespoons drives 56% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Cast Iron SkilletTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Heat skillet until smoking before adding scallops. Sear 1-2 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and flesh feels firm with slight resistance at center.
Pro Tips
Technique
Do not skip drying the scallops with paper towels before they hit the pan. Moisture is the enemy of that golden crust you're after. Pat them like you mean it.
Substitution
If you find your herbs are wilting and only have parsley, double it and skip the chives. The lemon does most of the heavy lifting for brightness anyway.
From the chef
I once watched someone serve seared scallops at brunch, stacked on a waffle with blueberry compote, and I wept into my coffee. This is why I left. But then I remembered: scallops are not a vehicle for spectacle. They are a vehicle for butter, and crisp radish, and the particular pleasure of a proper sear at the exact hour when lunch should be served. This dish doesn't need a reservation. It doesn't need velvet ropes. It just needs you to get out of your own way and let a scallop be a scallop.
Source: generated · June 13, 2026