Spiced Seared Scallops with Garlic Herb Cream

🔥 Spiced Seared Scallops with Garlic Herb Cream

🍽️ Description

Perfectly pan-seared sea scallops with a deep golden, spice-crusted exterior and a tender, buttery center. Coated in a smoky blend of paprika, garlic, and chili, each bite delivers a balance of heat and richness. Served alongside a creamy garlic herb dip with fresh lemon, parsley, and chives, this dish is bold, savory, and restaurant-quality—ideal as an elegant appetizer or a standout main course.

🧾 Ingredients

For the scallops:

• 1 lb large sea scallops (patted very dry)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt & black pepper
• Optional: pinch of cayenne

For the garlic herb cream:

• ½ cup mayonnaise or sour cream
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)
• 1 tsp chives (chopped)
• Salt & pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep scallops
   Pat completely dry and season evenly with spices, salt, and pepper.
2. Sear
   Heat a pan over high heat. Add oil or butter, then sear scallops for 1.5–2 minutes per side until golden and crusted.
3. Make sauce
   Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
4. Serve
   Plate scallops hot with the garlic herb cream on the side. Garnish with herbs or lemon zest.

💡 Tip

Serve with roasted vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.