Seared Scallops with Pea Puree and Mint Oil

Seared Scallops with Pea Puree and Mint Oil

Mia

This elegant dish brings together the sweetness of perfectly seared sea scallops with the bright, verdant flavors of spring peas and fresh mint. The scallops develop a gorgeous golden crust while maintaining a tender, buttery interior—a hallmark of proper searing technique. The vibrant pea puree provides a silky foundation that complements the scallops' natural sweetness, while the mint oil adds an aromatic finish that ties everything together.

Inspired by Mediterranean coastal cuisine, this recipe celebrates the simplicity of high-quality ingredients prepared with care. Scallops have been a prized delicacy in Mediterranean fishing communities for centuries, often paired with seasonal vegetables and herb-infused oils. The combination of peas and mint is a classic pairing that dates back to French and Italian culinary traditions, where the freshness of mint enhances the natural sweetness of young peas.

What makes this dish truly special is its restaurant-quality presentation achieved with straightforward techniques. The key to success lies in properly drying the scallops before searing and using a screaming-hot pan to achieve that coveted caramelized crust. The bright green pea puree not only provides stunning visual contrast but also delivers a burst of spring flavor that perfectly balances the richness of the scallops. This is a dish that impresses without overwhelming, making it perfect for special occasions or when you want to elevate a weeknight dinner into something memorable.

Nutrition

30 minutes
None servings
285 calories
Fat 18.00g
Carbs 12.00g
Protein 22.00g

Ingredients

16 Nonelarge sea scallops, patted dry
2 cupsfrozen peas
1 cupfresh mint leaves, packed
1/2 cupextra virgin olive oil, divided
2 clovesgarlic, minced
1/4 cupvegetable broth
1 Nonelemon, zested and juiced
kosher salt, to taste
black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
1 cupmicrogreens, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

paper towels
tongs
zester or microplane
measuring cups and spoons
small bowl
large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet
blender or food processor
serving plates
medium pot
fine-mesh sieve

80/20 Diet

This recipe delivers 100% nutrient-dense whole foods including fresh seafood, vegetables, herbs, and extra virgin olive oil. The anti-inflammatory ingredients and emphasis on quality align perfectly with the 80/20 principle of prioritizing wholesome nutrition.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This dish is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including omega-3 fatty fish (scallops), extra virgin olive oil, fresh mint, and garlic. The colorful vegetables and herbs provide antioxidants and phytonutrients while avoiding processed foods and refined ingredients.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh scallops, frozen peas, fresh herbs, and extra virgin olive oil. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form without artificial additives or preservatives.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns with DASH Diet principles by featuring lean seafood protein, vegetables rich in potassium and fiber, and using herbs and lemon for flavor instead of salt. The minimal sodium content and emphasis on whole foods support cardiovascular health.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, featuring only whole foods like scallops, peas, fresh herbs, and vegetables without any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This cardiovascular-protective recipe features lean seafood protein, extra virgin olive oil, and abundant vegetables while avoiding saturated fats, processed ingredients, and excessive sodium. The omega-3s from scallops and antioxidants from fresh herbs support heart health.

High-Protein Diet

With 16 large scallops providing approximately 30-40 grams of high-quality lean protein per serving, this recipe perfectly meets high-protein diet requirements while keeping the dish light and nutrient-dense with vegetables and healthy fats.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing high-quality protein from scallops, healthy fats from olive oil, and fiber-rich vegetables that promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This elegant, satisfying dish honors both pleasure and nourishment with its beautiful presentation and balanced nutrition. The recipe celebrates high-quality ingredients prepared with care, supporting satisfaction and variety without restriction or guilt.

Low-Sodium Diet

This recipe uses fresh, unprocessed ingredients without added salt, relying instead on fresh herbs (mint, garlic), lemon juice, and the natural sweetness of scallops and peas for flavor. The sodium content remains well within low-sodium guidelines.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe emphasizes lean protein from scallops, abundant vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil while avoiding processed foods and refined ingredients. The nutrient-dense whole foods and appropriate portions support sustainable weight management.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its emphasis on seafood, extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables, and herbs. The combination of scallops, peas, and mint oil showcases the diet's focus on high-quality fish, legumes, and abundant use of olive oil and fresh herbs for flavoring rather than excessive salt.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with omega-3 rich seafood, leafy greens (microgreens), vegetables, berries-adjacent peas, and olive oil as the primary fat. The anti-inflammatory ingredients and absence of butter, cheese, and fried foods align perfectly with MIND Diet principles.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its vibrant colors, varied textures, and aromatic fresh herbs that engage all the senses. The whole, minimally processed ingredients and elegant presentation encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each component.

Paleo Diet

This dish is Paleo-compliant as it features wild-caught seafood, vegetables, and healthy oils while completely avoiding grains, dairy, legumes, and processed ingredients. The simple preparation highlights whole, unprocessed ingredients that would have been available to hunter-gatherers.

Pegan Diet

This recipe aligns with Pegan principles by emphasizing vegetables (peas, microgreens) as the foundation, featuring sustainably-sourced seafood, and using healthy fats from olive oil while completely avoiding dairy, gluten, and processed ingredients.

Primal Diet

This recipe fits the Primal Diet with wild-caught seafood, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil while completely avoiding grains, legumes (peas are technically legumes but often accepted in Primal), refined sugars, and processed foods.

Weight Watchers

This recipe follows Weight Watchers principles with lean seafood protein, non-starchy vegetables, and controlled portions of healthy fats from olive oil. The nutrient-dense ingredients provide satisfaction while supporting weight management goals.

Instructions

1
5 min

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

2

While water heats, prepare the mint oil by combining 1 cup packed mint leaves with 1/4 cup olive oil in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and bright green, about 1 minute. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl and set aside.

3 min
3
3 min

Add the frozen peas to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes until tender and bright green.

4

Drain the peas and immediately transfer them to a blender. Add minced garlic, vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon zest, half the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

1 min
5

Blend the pea mixture on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Keep warm by covering and setting aside.

2 min
6

Remove the small side muscle from each scallop if still attached. Pat the scallops thoroughly dry with paper towels, ensuring they are completely dry for proper searing.

2 min
7

Season both sides of the scallops generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

1 min
8
3 min

Heat a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over high heat for 2-3 minutes until very hot. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.

9
3 min

Carefully place the scallops in the hot skillet, ensuring they don't touch each other. Do not move them. Sear for 2-3 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms on the bottom.

10
2 min

Flip each scallop gently with tongs or a spatula. Sear the second side for 1-2 minutes until golden and the scallops are just opaque in the center. Remove from heat immediately.

11

To plate, spoon a generous portion of warm pea puree onto each plate, spreading it slightly with the back of the spoon to create a bed for the scallops.

1 min
12

Arrange 4 scallops on top of the pea puree on each plate. Drizzle the mint oil generously over the scallops and around the plate.

1 min
13

Garnish with microgreens and an additional squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Frequently Asked Questions