Name: Seared Scallops With Basil Risotto
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups pineapple juice; 1½ cups vegetable broth; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; ⅓ cup minced yellow onion; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1¼ cups uncooked Arborio rice; ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning; ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more for seasoning; 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil; 1 pound sea scallops; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more as needed; ½ cup microgreens, for serving

A shallow bowl of three seared scallops on a bed of risotto and garnished with micro basil.

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch

There’s just something about the caramelized crust and meaty interior of scallops that makes them the perfect protein. They also have a naturally delicate flavor, so it’s important to let them shine with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper. However, that means whatever scallops are served with has to take the lead with big, bold taste. Cue basil-pineapple risotto! Once you make risotto with pineapple juice, you’ll be hard pressed to go without it ever again. If you’re looking to wow guests with a meal they’d be likely to find in a five-star restaurant, then this is your dish.

Recipe information

Total Time
1 hour
Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups pineapple juice

1½ cups vegetable broth

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

⅓ cup minced yellow onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1¼ cups uncooked Arborio rice

¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning

¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more for seasoning

3 tablespoons minced fresh basil

1 pound sea scallops

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more as needed

½ cup microgreens, for serving

Preparation

Step 1
Combine the pineapple juice and broth in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover with a lid and remove from the heat.
Step 2
Heat the butter in a large saucepan set over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Step 3
Add a ladle of the hot juice mixture to the saucepan and cook, stirring, until the liquid is fully absorbed. Continue adding the hot liquid to the saucepan, one ladle at a time and stirring intermittently, until the rice is no longer crunchy, about 30 minutes.
Step 4
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, then turn off the heat and stir in the basil. Set aside, covered, while you cook the scallops.
Step 5
Pat the scallops dry, then season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a medium skillet set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add half the scallops and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip the scallops once, then tilt the skillet and baste them with the oil. Continue cooking the scallops an additional 1 minute, until no longer translucent. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil as needed.
Step 6
Divide the risotto among serving plates and top with the scallops.
Step 7
Garnish with microgreens and serve.

The Secret Ingredient Cookbook cover with photo of creamy pasta in a bowl.

From The Secret Ingredient Cookbook: 125 Family-Friendly Recipes with Surprisingly Tasty Twists © 2021 by Kelly Senyei. Photography © 2021 by Robert Bredvad. Available from HMH Books & Media. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved. Buy the full book on Amazon.