Salt + Pepper Scallops With Herb Aioli from Park + Cherry

Ordering scallops at a restaurant is so 2019. However, cooking scallops at home is a little luxury you shouldn’t pass up. Here’s a secret, they cook fast and aren’t hard to make at all. Try this indulgent recipe, plate it up chef-style, and savor every morsel. Order up!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 minutes | Makes: 4 Servings

Herb Aioli Ingredients:

1 cup mayonnaise

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Bay Scallops Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds bay scallops

3 to 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions for the Herb Aioli:

Combine mayonnaise, lemon, salt, pepper, and parsley in a bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Directions for the Scallops:

Rinse them thoroughly with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until browned outside but barely cooked within, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the scallops to a plate lined with a paper towel. Let sit for 1-2 minutes.

Place a spoonful of herb aioli on one side of your plate. Then turn the spoon over and place the back of the spoon into the middle of the sauce and drag to the other side of the plate in a quick but controlled manner. This is known as a sauce “smear.” Using a slotted spoon, plate the scallops on your “smear.” Garnish with your chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Chef Phillip Dewayne is the Chef/ Owner of Park + Cherry Cafe inside the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Chef Phillip Dewayne Private Chef & Catering Services, and Recover Meals. With over 10 years in the fine dining industry, he honed his chops at Chez Philippe at The Peabody Memphis and at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA. He specializes in French-inspired cuisine. A Memphis native, he has traveled the world providing exquisite culinary experiences to individuals, private events, corporate gatherings, and large-scale events throughout the U.S. and abroad. To book a private cooking lesson or to learn more about his weekly meal prep service, visit Chefphillipdewayne.com or call 901.602.9906