Sea Scallop Salad with Meyer Lemon and Pomegranate

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Make the vinaigrette: Put lemon and shallot in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, add vinegar, and stir to dissolve salt. Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Taste and correct for salt and vinegar. Set aside at room temperature.

2. Step 2

   Season sea scallops on both sides with salt and pepper. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil.

3. Step 3

   Place a wide cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, and swirl to coat bottom of pan. When oil looks wavy, place scallops carefully in pan without crowding. Adjust heat to allow scallops to sizzle briskly. Do not move scallops for at least 2 minutes so that a crisp skin can form.

4. Step 4

   After 2 minutes, check to see how scallops are browning. Adjust heat if necessary (if heat is too high, scallops will blacken instead). It should take 4 to 5 minutes to get a well-browned surface. Turn scallops over with tongs or a small metal spatula, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until firm and cooked through. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel, keeping scallops browned-side up.

5. Step 5

   Divide radicchio, endive and arugula among 4 large salad plates. Place 2 warm scallops in the center of each plate. Stir vinaigrette vigorously and spoon about a teaspoon on each scallop. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette evenly over each salad. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, and serve immediately.