Scallops with Tarragon Butter Sauce

You just can't go wrong with scallops in a white-wine butter sauce, and tarragon makes it all the better.

Ingredients

• olive oil  ·  2 tablespoons 
• butter  ·  5 tablespoons 
• sea scallops, dried well  ·  1 1/2 pound 
• salt  ·  1 teaspoon 
• fresh-ground black pepper  ·  1/4 teaspoon 
• dry white wine  ·  1/3 cup 
• Grated zest of 1 lemon  ·   
• chopped fresh tarragon  ·  2 tablespoons 

Instructions

In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil with 1/2 tablespoon of the butter over moderate heat.

Season the scallops with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper.

Put half the scallops in the pan. Cook until browned, about 2 minutes.

Turn and cook until browned on the second side and just done, 1 to 2 minutes and remove.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil with 1/2 tablespoon of the butter in the pan and cook the remaining scallops.

Wipe out the pan.

Put the pan over moderately low heat and add the wine.

Boil until reduced to approximately 2 tablespoons, 1 to 2 minutes.

Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Whisk the remaining 4 tablespoons butter into the wine. The butter should not melt completely but just soften to form a smooth sauce. Be careful not to heat the sauce too much or it may separate.

Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, the lemon zest, and the tarragon.

Pour the sauce over the scallops to serve.