Seared Scallops and Butter Lettuce Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette

Information

Notes

Scallops are so naturally sweet that they practically sit up and beg for an acid counterpoint. Lemon is the usual “go to” acid for fish and seafood, but in this case, I chose grapefruit instead because I thought that grapefruit juice, cooked down, would contribute body to the base of a vinaigrette. (I was right.) I added avocados to the scallops because basically I’ve got avocado on the brain these days. (I never looked twice at them until I was well into my thirties. Now I can’t leave them alone.) Finally, I tossed in some sunflower seeds. Health-wise, of course, you can’t beat them; they’re a great source of vitamin E, thiamin, and magnesium. But I also love them for their crunch and their unique flavor. All together, this is an eminently refreshing summertime salad entree.

Directions

1. Spread out the flour in a pie plate lined with wax paper or parchment. Season the scallops with salt and pepper to taste. Working in batches, toss the scallops in the flour, lifting the wax paper on both sides to move the scallops around; transfer the scallops to a strainer and shake off the excess flour.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the scallops to the skillet and saute for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until just cooked through. Transfer the scallops to a plate using tongs and set aside to cool to room temperature.

3. Put the grapefruit juice in a small saucepan or skillet and simmer until it has reduced to 2 tablespoons; transfer it to a small bowl. Finely chop the shallot (about 2 tablespoons); add it to the reduced grapefruit juice along with the rice vinegar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and sugar. Whisk until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Gradually whisk in the remaining 6 tablespoons vegetable oil. Whisk in some of the juices that have accumulated on the scallop plate until the dressing reaches the desired consistency.

4. Peel and section the grapefruit; cut each section in half. Tear the lettuce into bite-size pieces (about 4 cups). Halve, seed, peel, and slice the avocado; thinly slice the chives crosswise (about 1 tablespoon). Toss the lettuce with 1/3 cup dressing.

5. Mound the lettuce on each of 4 plates and top with the scallops, avocado, and grapefruit. Sprinkle with the chives and sunflower seeds and drizzle with the remaining grapefruit dressing.