Skip to main content
Epicurious

Seared Scallops With Red Chile Paste and Fennel Salad

2.9

(3)

A plate with seared scallops and shaved fennel topped with a garnish of dill.
Photo by Alex Lau

Scallops: so meaty and delicious and yet so easy to overcook. That’s why we sear these on only one side, preserving the meltingly tender, near-raw texture on the other end.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

2 small red chiles (such as Fresno or Holland), seeds removed, finely chopped
2 teaspoons finely grated grapefruit zest
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
12 large sea scallops, side muscle removed, patted dry
1 small fennel bulb, quartered through root end, thinly sliced lengthwise, plus 1/3 cup fennel fronds
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
Olive oil (for drizzling)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Using the side of a chef’s knife, mash chiles, grapefruit zest, and 1/4 tsp. salt to a paste on a cutting board. Set chile paste aside.

    Step 2

    Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high until lightly smoking. Season scallops with salt; working in 2 batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, cook until edges begin to brown, about 1 minute. Transfer scallops to a platter, browned side up, and swipe some reserved chile paste on each.

    Step 3

    Toss fennel bulb with vinegar in a medium bowl to coat; season with salt.

    Step 4

    Pour grapefruit juice over scallops and top with fennel salad and fennel fronds; drizzle with olive oil.

TagsFresno ChileChileVegetableScallopShellfishSeafoodFennelRoot VegetableGrapefruitCitrusFruitMainDinnerDairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreeSearBon Appétit

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Spicy Honey Orange Shrimp (Xiang La Fengmi Xia)
A satisfying weeknight dinner from Tiffy Chen. Serve with rice or noodles.
Gambas al Ajillo
This speedy Spanish dish of shrimp cooked in olive oil and garlic can be a main or appetizer. It all depends on how you dress it up.
Paloma Slushy
Frozen into a slushy, the classic tequila and grapefruit cocktail becomes even more refreshing.
Leeks With Sumac, Parm, and Pine Nuts
This side dish is flavorful enough to also serve as a main course.
10-Minute Broccoli in Garlic Sauce
This easy broccoli stir-fry uses a genius two-step cooking technique of searing the veg for color, then steaming it in a concentrated broth to tenderize.
Melted Anchovy Toast
Among the easiest appetizers ever.
Wampanoaug Clam Fritters
The clams’ natural briny sweetness serves as a surprising foil for the tender fritter batter—just be sure to pull off the tough outer coating of the siphon.
Ta’ameya (Fava Bean Fritters)
Serve these as you would falafel: in a pita, on top of a salad, or as a snack with a dip.