Ingredients
1
pound large sea scallops, patted dry
Kosher salt and black pepper
3
tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil, plus more as needed
2
tablespoons unsalted butter
2
tablespoons soy sauce
3
garlic cloves, thinly sliced
½
teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)
1 ½
pounds baby spinach or other tender greens
1
teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Lime wedges, for serving
2
tablespoons thinly sliced scallion greens
Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Steamed rice, for serving
Preparation
- Heat the oven to 200 degrees. Season the scallops well with salt and pepper. Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil and, when it shimmers, add the scallops. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes, until they begin to brown and form a crust on the bottom.
- Flip the scallops, add the butter and soy sauce to the pan and use a spoon to repeatedly drizzle the sauce over the tops of the scallops to finish cooking, 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Set the scallops on an oven-safe plate and pour the butter mixture on top. Place the plate in the oven to keep the scallops warm while you finish the rest of the dish.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil to the skillet and heat over medium. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is pale golden, about 2 minutes, adding a teaspoon or so more of grapeseed oil if needed. Return the heat to medium-high and add the spinach, in batches, if needed, and season with salt. Toss until the spinach wilts, adding a few teaspoons of water to help it along, if needed, and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat.
- Add the scallops back to the pan and pour any residual butter-sauce over top. Drizzle the dish with sesame oil and a good squeeze of lime. Top with scallions and sesame seeds, if using, and serve with rice.