Pull side muscle off scallops if needed, rinse Scallops and pat dry (make sure they are dry before putting in the pan so they don’t stick)
Sprinkle Salt and Pepper over both sides of Scallops
Add EVOO to a Cast Iron Skillet to lightly coat the bottom (I prefer cast iron because the heat distributes evenly)
Heat over med-high heat until oil shimmers
Place Scallops in skillet and cook 3-4 minutes until golden brown (don’t move them or fuss with them until ready to flip)
Using a thin spatula or tongs gently turn the Scallops over
Add Butter to skillet, when it starts to melt spoon the butter over the Scallops cooking them approximately 3-4 minutes until golden brown
Set pan aside and start the Risotto
Preheat EVOO in a medium saucepan over medium heat
When oil gets warm, add shallots and saute until golden color (approximately 2 minutes)
Add Garlic and saute 1 minute
Add Rice and stir for 1-2 minutes until toasted
Add White Wine and cook until Wine is reduced or evaporated
Add in 1/2 cup Vegetable Stock and stir (it’s important to keep stirring – see notes below)
When Vegetable Stock starts to get evaporated (after about 5 minutes), add another 1/2 cup of Vegetable Stock
Add in Salt, and Pepper to Rice and stir
Add 1/2 cup Vegetable Stock approximately every 5 minutes, stirring constantly (total cook time for the risotto is about 20 minutes)
Taste and add more Salt/Pepper if needed
Taste the rice and when you are 1 minute before reaching the right bite “al dente” (meaning rice should be tender but still firm to the bite), add Butter and Parmesan Cheese.
Turn off heat and stir quickly until creamy in texture.
Sprinkle a bit of Parmesan on top
Add Scallops and serve immediately
Enjoy!
Notes
Make sure your Vegetable Stock stays hot. It’s important to add a little bit of the hot Vegetable Stock at a time so the rice is cooked slowly and the stock gets absorbed. This method releases the rice’s starches, producing a velvety, creamy dish.
It’s very important to keep stirring the Risotto as it’s cooking, especially as the stock gets absorbed, to prevent scorching.
If you run out of Vegetable Stock and you find this is too dry at the end, you can add in a little hot water as a substitute.