Perfectly seared scallops with risotto

& all my other favourite risotto recipes!

I love risotto. I love seafood. And I love comfort food. This recipe ticks all my boxes! The scallops are pan seared to perfection and then topped on a creamy, rich and buttery risotto. It’s light and summery yet also completely comforting and worthy of eating on your couch in your tracksuit (something I do more often then I would like to admit).

I’ve made hundreds of risottos over the years, and once you get the method down, you’ll be cooking them like a pro. It’s all about building layers. Start with your aromatics, toast the rice, pour in the wine, slowly add your stock, and finish with lots of butter and cheese. From there, the flavour possibilities are endless. This time, I’ve gone for scallops.

The best part is that we sear the scallops in the same pan we cook the risotto in, so not one bit of flavour goes to waste. When you add the wine, you’ll deglaze the pan and scrape up all the delicious brown bits (or what those in the business call the fonds) left behind from the scallops. That is what gives this risotto its gorgeous golden colour.

And if you are scared of cooking scallops, don’t be!! All you need to know is to fry them hot and fast. Once you have seasoned and patted the scallops dry to remove as much moisture as possible, they need to be pan seared in very hot oil and for a quick time. 1 - 2 minutes per side to be exact!

I am sure you are all going to love this recipe! I am also going to drop a few of my other risotto recipes below. Have a lovely week x

What’s Cooking This Week

This pan seared scallop risotto is what dreams are made of! The scallops are seared until golden and buttery, then served over a creamy, parmesan-rich risotto that’s infused with garlic, white wine and a touch of lemon. It’s an elegant yet comforting recipe that’s perfect for date night or a special dinner with friends.

Risotto is my absolute favourite comfort food! It’s carby, buttery and full of cheese. This creamy leek risotto is simple, elegant, and packed with sweet, mellow leek flavour. It uses all parts of the leek as the tops are fried in olive oil to create the perfect crispy garnish. It’s such a cosy dish that will make you want to curl up on the couch while eating it!

If there’s one dish that captures the elegance of Northern Italy, it’s Risotto alla Milanese. This creamy saffron-infused risotto is a golden-hued classic from Milan, traditionally served with osso buco but equally stunning on its own. The delicate aroma of saffron, the richness of butter and cheese, and that signature al dente bite make this one of the most luxurious Italian rice dishes to master at home. Risotto alla milanese is comfort in a bowl!

This prawn risotto is made with a rich homemade prawn stock that utilises every last drop of flavour from the prawn heads. It's rich, creamy and the ultimate comfort food!