Scallops With Avocado Salsa - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup basil leaves, finely shredded
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, minced
1 jalapeno, halved, seeded and thinly sliced
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
salt
fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 lbs sea scallops
1/4 cup water
4 plum tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine basil, lime juice, olive oil, onion, jalapeno and garlic.
With rubber spatula, gently fold in the avocados.
Season with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and cook over high heat until browned outside, but still rare in the center- about 2 minutes per side.
Transfer scallops to warmed platter- keep them warm.
Add water and tomatoes to the same skillet and cook over med-high heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom until the water has reduced- this happens in about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar.
Season with salt and pepper.
Pour the tomato sauce over the scallops and serve with avocado salsa on the side.
*Use the salsa and the sauce on steak, shrimp, with chips, in a sandwich -- the possibilities are endless!