Ingredients Seafood Shellfish Scallops with Charred Scallions and Marcona Romesco Be the first to rate & review! Marcona almonds make a rich, nutty and unconventional romesco sauce for these cast-iron-skillet scallops. Serve them with a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. Slideshow: More Scallops Recipes By Alex Knezevic Updated on March 31, 2016 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: © Christina Holmes Active Time: 45 mins Total Time: 1 hrs Yield: 4 Ingredients ROMESCO 1 large red bell pepper 1/2 cup marcona almonds 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Black pepper SCALLOPS AND GREENS 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 24 scallions (10 ounces), halved crosswise Kosher salt Pepper 12 large sea scallops 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 garlic cloves 1 thyme sprig 2 ounces pea tendrils or shoots 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Chopped marcona almonds, for garnish Directions Make the romesco Roast the bell pepper directly over a gas flame or under the broiler, turning often, until charred all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let steam for 15 minutes. Peel, core and seed the roasted bell pepper. In a food processor, pulse the roasted pepper with the almonds, garlic, vinegar and crushed red pepper until minced. With the machine on, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until fully incorporated. Season with salt and black pepper. Prepare the scallops and greens In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the scallions, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, turning, until lightly charred all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plates and wipe out the skillet. Heat 2 more tablespoons of oil in the skillet. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until golden on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Add the butter, garlic and thyme and flip the scallops. Cook, basting with the butter, until just opaque throughout, about 2 minutes longer. Discard the garlic and thyme. Arrange the scallops on the scallions. In a small bowl, toss the pea tendrils with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Top the scallops with the pea tendrils, garnish with chopped almonds and serve with the romesco. Make Ahead The romesco can be refrigerated for 2 days. Rate it Print