Why This Recipe Will Trend:
⚡ 15-minute gourmet meal – faster than delivery
💎 Luxury ingredients made affordable
🥬 Low-carb & keto-friendly (only 8g net carbs)
📸 Instagrammable plating with lemon slices and fresh herbs
🍽 Perfect for date nights or impressing guests
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Main Components:
- 12 large sea scallops (dry-packed, ~1 lb)
- 2 medium zucchinis (spiralized)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 lemon (zested + juiced)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Lemon wedges
- Parmesan shavings (optional)
Step-by-Step Perfection
1. Prep Like a Pro (5 mins)
- Pat scallops DRY (crucial for searing!)
- Spiralize zucchini (or buy pre-spiralized)
- Mince garlic, zest lemon
2. Sear the Scallops (5 mins)
- Heat 1 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp butter in skillet until smoking
- Season scallops, place in pan (don’t touch!)
- Sear 2 mins per side until golden
- Remove immediately
3. Make the Sauce (3 mins)
- Reduce heat, add remaining butter
- Sauté garlic 30 sec (don’t burn!)
- Add lemon juice + zest, pepper flakes
4. Cook Zoodles (2 mins)
- In separate pan, quickly sauté zucchini
- Season lightly (they release water)
5. Plate Like a Chef
- Twirl zoodles into nests
- Arrange scallops on top
- Drizzle with lemon garlic butter
- Garnish & serve immediately
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 28g
- Net Carbs: 8g
Chef’s Secrets
🔪 Scallop hack: Remove side muscle if present
🔥 Perfect sear: Wait until pan is VERY hot
🧂 Season smart: Salt zucchini after cooking
🔄 Variation: Add cherry tomatoes or asparagus
