We followed the recipe from our Williams-Sonoma Weeknight Fresh + Fast cookbook. I feel like they almost looked exactly like the picture in the cookbook!
Look at the perfect sear from Chef Patrick. |
Ingredients:
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 cup orzo
3 cups plus 3 Tbs. low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped greens, such as red chard, Tuscan kale or escarole
3 Tbs. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 1/2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
3/4 lb. large sea scallops
3 Tbs. sherry vinegar; we used champagne vinegar
Directions:
In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, warm 1 Tbs. of the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the orzo and stir until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the 3 cups broth and bring to a boil, stirring to scrape up the browned bits. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the orzo is almost tender, about 15 minutes. Add the chard and stir until the orzo is tender, the greens have wilted and the mixture is creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley, 1 1/2 tsp. of the thyme and the lemon zest. Season the orzo with salt and pepper. Stir in 1 Tbs. of the butter. Remove from the heat, cover and keep warm.
Season the scallops on both sides with salt, pepper and 1 tsp. of the thyme. In a large fry pan over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil. Add the scallops and sauté until almost springy to the touch, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the scallops to a warmed plate. Pour off the oil from the fry pan. Add the vinegar and the 3 Tbs. broth to the fry pan and boil until syrupy, stirring to scrape up the browned bits, about 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat. Add any scallop juices from the plate. Swirl in the remaining 1 Tbs. butter. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
Divide the orzo mixture between 2 warmed plates and top with the scallops. Drizzle the pan sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tsp. thyme. Serve immediately.