Butter-Basted Scallops with Spring Greens and Snap Peas

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 12 large sea scallops, side muscles removed (about 1 1/4 pounds)
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
• 4 garlic cloves (2 whole and 2 thinly sliced), divided
• 2 thyme sprigs
• 1/2 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 6 ounces leaf spinach, stemmed (1/2 bunch)
• 5 ounces dandelion greens, stemmed and chopped (1/2 bunch)
• 1 cup pea shoots
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Steps

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season scallops to taste with salt and pepper, and add scallops to skillet. Cook until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn scallops, and add butter, whole garlic cloves, and thyme sprigs to skillet. Cook, basting scallops with butter, until browned on the other side and just opaque throughout, 2 to 3 more minutes. Transfer to a warm plate, and pour butter on top; keep warm. Wipe out skillet with paper towels.
2. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the same skillet, and heat over medium-high. Add sugar snap peas and thinly sliced garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until peas are crisp-tender and garlic is softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in spinach, dandelion greens, and pea shoots, and cook until barely wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter, and top with scallops and butter. Discard thyme sprigs and whole garlic cloves before serving.