Description
Treat yourself to a restaurant-style meal at home with these golden-seared scallops over a velvety bed of creamy polenta, all topped with a fragrant herb brown butter sauce. This dish balances elegance and comfort perfectly, making it an ideal pick for everything from easy weeknight dinners to impressing guests. The tender sea scallops pair beautifully with the rich nuttiness of browned butter and the soft, cheesy warmth of the polenta. Whether you’re after quick dinner ideas, cozy seafood comfort, or elegant food inspiration, this easy recipe is a standout.
Ingredients
4 large sea scallops
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 sprigs fresh thyme
4 fresh sage leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup polenta (coarse cornmeal)
3 cups water
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon butter (for polenta)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water and 1 cup of milk to a simmer.
2. Slowly whisk in the polenta and reduce the heat to low.
3. Stir frequently for 20–25 minutes until soft, adding more liquid if needed.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp butter, and salt. Keep warm.
5. Pat scallops dry and season with salt and pepper.
6. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Sear scallops for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and opaque. Remove and keep warm.
8. In the same skillet, add butter over medium heat.
9. Once butter foams and browns, add garlic, thyme, and sage. Cook 1 minute.
10. Plate the polenta, top with scallops, and drizzle with herb brown butter. Serve hot.
Notes
Make sure the scallops are very dry before searing for the best golden crust.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best creamy, nutty flavor in your polenta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: easy dinner, seafood recipe, scallop recipe, creamy polenta, elegant meals