Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.
After the cocktail, the tapenade and the salad, the next step in this at home Valentine’s day menu is the main course. Like any good celebration meal entree this dish is a show stopper. A pièce de résistance if you will. It’s caper-y and buttery. It’s light yet indulgent. It’s quick to prepare with your sweetie and perhaps the best part of all it’s pasta. What does that mean you ask? Well it means that you can share it Lady and the Tramp style, kisses and all.
When the first visions of this Valentine’s menu began dancing around in my head, I asked a couple of friends what kind of pasta they would like to see. Both of them said creamy so I set out to make an ultra creamy pasta. The result? Far too creamy and heavy for this Valentine’s meal. I’ll share it later I promise. But in the mean time I needed an entree for my Valentine’s menu. Since I had so much success with my chicken piccata I thought of other ways I could do it. And that is when it hit me, light, tender, fresh, sweet scallops would pair perfectly with the buttery caper sauce.
Scallop Piccata
Buttery and full of capers, this scallop pasta puts a spin on the traditional chicken piccata.
While you're waiting for your pasta water to boil. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once butter melts, place scallops in pan. Cook, turning once until scallops are browned, about 3 - 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, loosely cover to keep scallops warm. (Note: You may need to do this step in batches, you do not want to over crowd the scallops or they will steam and won't get the color you want.) Reserve pan juices.
If you haven't already, begin cooking pasta. Cook according to pasta directions. Drain.
While pasta is cooking add garlic to scallop pan, reduce heat to medium, cook 20 seconds or until fragrant. Pour in wine, capers and lemon juice. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until sauce reduces by 1/3 about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Swirl until butter melts. Stir in fresh parsley.
Divide pasta evenly among heated pasta bowls. Place 5 scallops on top of the pasta. Pour sauce over the top. Serve.
Have made this recipe on a number of occasions. Super straightforward and delicious. It is quite possibly the best scallop piccata I’ve ever had. It delivers each and every time and I’m ever grateful to you for sharing. 3 min a side on high for the scallops. And I always double the sauce.
I love scallops-it’s amazing how easy they are to prepare! They’re so light and tasty-I’m definitely going to try to make them with capers next-thanks for posting!
Looks really tasty and you make it possibly simple enough for me to pull off, thanks for sharing!
Hey! I'm Des!
Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.
Jana
October 8, 2023 at 2:23 pmSecond time to make this. Made it exactly accept for a few more capers. Loved it!
Deseree
October 9, 2023 at 11:28 amComing from a family obsessed with them we agree that more capers is always a good idea! Glad you enjoyed this!! :)
Cyndi
October 24, 2020 at 3:48 pmLove this recipe! I’m making it for the 3rd time tonight since I found it a couple of months ago.
Deseree
October 26, 2020 at 9:10 pmYay! I am so happy to hear that!!
Janet
August 16, 2020 at 5:56 amThis recipe was perfect. Easy to follow and delish…
Deseree
August 16, 2020 at 10:31 pmSo happy you enjoyed it!
Steven W Brown
May 26, 2020 at 10:08 pmMade this tonight! Such a great dish!! Thanks for making me look cool with my wife !
Deseree
May 27, 2020 at 7:04 pmhaha You’re welcome!! So glad you enjoyed it :)
Mike
June 27, 2018 at 5:15 pmHave made this recipe on a number of occasions. Super straightforward and delicious. It is quite possibly the best scallop piccata I’ve ever had. It delivers each and every time and I’m ever grateful to you for sharing. 3 min a side on high for the scallops. And I always double the sauce.
Deseree
June 27, 2018 at 8:01 pmWow. Such a compliment. Thank you Mike! I am so happy to hear that you enjoy it so much :)
Jody
January 6, 2018 at 8:58 amIt was delicious ! I will make this dish again!
Deseree
January 6, 2018 at 4:40 pmI am so happy to hear that Jody! :)
Megan
February 15, 2010 at 8:35 pmI love scallops-it’s amazing how easy they are to prepare! They’re so light and tasty-I’m definitely going to try to make them with capers next-thanks for posting!
redkathy
February 12, 2010 at 9:02 pmThis is one of my favorites, so flavorful! Your display is lovely. Lady and the Tramp style… so sweet
Village Feast
February 11, 2010 at 7:30 pmOh my goodness, this looks heavenly! So simple, all about the ingredients.
papawow
February 11, 2010 at 7:46 amLooks really tasty and you make it possibly simple enough for me to pull off, thanks for sharing!