Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
1/2 pound linguini
1 pound sea scallops
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 springs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup seafood stock or clam juice
25 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, a handful
1 lemon, zested and juiced

Directions:

  • Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring up to a boil for the pasta.
  • Once at a boil add some salt and cook pasta to package directions. Hold off on starting the scallops until you drop your pasta.
  • Remove the muscle from the scallops then with a paper towel pat them dry and season them with salt and pepper.
  • Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 turn around the pan and 2 tablespoons of the butter.
  • When butter melts into oil, add scallops.
  • Brown scallops 2 minutes on each side, then remove from pan and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
  • Add an additional drizzle of olive oil to the skillet and add the garlic, shallots, crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, a little salt and pepper.
  • Reduce heat a little and saute garlic and shallots 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Add wine to the pan and free up any pan drippings.
  • Reduce wine 1 minute, then add seafood stock.
  • Continue to cook for about 1 minute.
  • Add the basil, parsley, lemon zest and juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, shake and stir the mixture until the butter has melted.
  • Add the cooked linguini and cook for about 30 seconds, just to combine and let the pasta soak up the sauce.
  • Divide the pasta between 2 serving plates and top with reserved scallops.