cozy

INGREDIENTS:

 SCALLOPS AND BLACKENING SPICES

12 sea scallops

 salt to taste

1 tablespoon smoked paprika 

2 teaspoons dry mustard

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 teaspoon celery seed

1 teaspoon dried thyme 

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

PASTA AND CREAMY CORN SAUCE

8 ounces fettuccine

1 cup fresh corn kernels, cobs reserved (2 ears of corn)

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup onion, diced

2 teaspoons garlic, minced

1/2 cup corn cob/pasta water

1/4 half n half or heavy cream

1 teaspoon sugar 

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 thinly sliced fresh basil

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 

3 teaspoons grated parmesan 

salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION: 

  1) First prep scallops by removing any of the crescent-shaped muscles that may still be attached (they  end up being terribly tough when cooked). Then lightly salt each side  of scallops. Set aside for now. 

  2) Combine the remaining spices and brown sugar in a bowl. Coat one side of each scallop in spice mixture. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a cast iron skillet (a nonstick one is ok too, if you don’t have a cast iron skillet) over medium high heat until very hot. Sear the scallops spice side down until blackened, about 3 minutes. Flip scallops, and sear until cooked through, about 2 more minutes. Remove scallops from heat and keep warm until ready to serve with fettuccine. 

  3) Bring a large pot of salted water and the reserved corn cobs to a boil. Continue to boil the water with the corn cobs for 5-10 minutes. Then remove the cobs, and reserve 1/2 cup of the water for your sauce. Now cook your pasta according to the package directions. 

  4) While your pasta cooks, add onion and garlic to a large sauté pan over medium heat and cook until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add corn kernels , reserved corn pasta water, cream and sugar. Simmer until slightly thickened, another 3 minutes or so. Transfer cooked pasta to your sauce with a slotted spoon. Finally add remaining ingredients and toss to coat.