From “Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners”, Simon & Schuster 2010.
3/4 pound medium sea scallops
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1 cup Wondra or all-purpose flour, for dredging
1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided
1/3 cup grapefruit juice
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1/8 teaspoon sugar
2 small heads butter lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1 ripe avocado, pitted and sliced
1 small pink grapefruit, peeled and sectioned, with each section halved.
1 medium scallion, green part only, thinly sliced crosswise
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Spread the Wondra or flour on a plate, then dredge the scallops through it, shaking off any excess.
In a large skillet over medium, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the scallops to the skillet and saute for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Transfer the scallops to a plate and let stand until they are at room temperature.
In a small saucepan, simmer the grapefruit juice until it reduces to 2 tablespoons. Transfer to a small bowl. Add the shallot, rice vinegar, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Slowly whisk in the remaining vegetable oil, then whisk in the juices that have accumulated on the scallop plate until the dressing reaches the desired consistency.
Toss the lettuce with 1/3 cup of the dressing. Mound the lettuce over 4 plates and top with the scallops, avocado and grapefruit. Sprinkle with the scallions and sunflower seeds, and drizzle with the remaining dressing.
Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 604 calories; 359 calories from fat; 41 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 28 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrate; 22 g protein; 6 g fiber; 275 mg sodium.