Butter Seared Scallops with Angel Hair Pasta and Arugula

Dude, scallops are delicious!  Seared, grilled, or even raw, scallops are great and an easy food to cook.  Obviously not for those that do not like seafood, but for the rest of us, they are fantastic.  Although they are a bit bolder of a choice than say shrimp or just a piece of fish, scallops will definitely catch the attention of your date when you tell them what's on the menu.  The smell of butter and garlic mixed with the taste of wine is pretty much a deal sealer when it comes to making a good impression.  Combine that with a black collared shirt and a clean shave and your date is set.  Okay, let’s get started.

Ingredients:

-A Date

-1 bottle of wine (minimum)

-6-8 Whole Scallops

-2 Cloves of Garlic minced

-2 Cups of Rocket (Arugula)

-3 Roma Tomatoes, quartered

-1 Lemon, zested and cut in half

-5 Tbl. Spoons of Butter (half a stick)

-2 Tbl. Spoons of Olive Oil

-1/4 cup of shaved parmesan cheese

-1/4 cup of flour 

-Salt & Pepper

Start by pouring two glasses of wine, I think you get it.  Next, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.  Meanwhile, place the tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place them in the oven on 400f * for ten minutes.  When the tomatoes are finished, roughly chop and set aside to keep warm.  Heat a non-stick sauté pan to medium high heat and add the butter and oil.  The pan should be hot enough that you will see just a tiny bit of smoke from the butter.  Sauté the scallops for 1 – 2 minutes per side.  DO NOT move the scallops around very much.  Wait for a caramel color on one side, flip and wait for the same on the second side until cooked.  Set them aside and keep warm.  Immediately add your garlic to the butter and sauté for 1 minute.  Your scallops and pasta should be ready about the same time (angel hair pasta cooks very quickly).  Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.  Add the butter and garlic sauce, tomatoes, rocket, juice and zest from one lemon and finish with salt and pepper and toss until combined.  Plate a generous helping in the middle of a large plate and place your scallops on the top of the pasta.  Finish with a healthy portion of shaved cheese and a final pinch of lemon zest on top.  Finally, wait for your date to take the first bite.  Wait for it, wait for it, she smiled and she loves it.  Fill both your glasses.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Feeds: 2
Cost: $20