Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound sea scallops
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium fennel bulb—trimmed, halved and thinly sliced, fronds reserved for garnish
2 tablespoons drained capers
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

  1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil.
  2. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until golden brown on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Turn the scallops and cook until just opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  4. Transfer to a platter and keep warm.
  5. Melt the butter in the skillet.
  6. Add the sliced fennel and capers and cook over high heat, stirring, until the fennel is crisp-tender and lightly golden, 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley and season with salt and pepper.
  8. Spoon the fennel around the scallops and garnish with chopped fennel fronds.
  9. Serve with lemon wedges.