Seared Scallops with Shaved Fennel, Cucumber, and Grapefruit

recipe courtesy Martha Stewart

Seared Scallops with Shaved Fennel, Cucumber, and Grapefruit

1 Ruby Red grapefruit

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

3/4 pound large sea scallops

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, divided

Freshly ground pepper

3 ounces English cucumber, thinly shaved crosswise on a mandoline (3/4 cup)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves

1/2 large fennel bulb (5 1/2 ounces), cut in half (root end trimmed but left intact to keep fennel together)

Finely grate enough grapefruit rind to yield 1/2 teaspoon zest. Peel grapefruit with a paring knife, removing all pith. Working over a bowl, cut three-quarters of the grapefruit segments from the membranes, cut into bite-size pieces, and set aside. Squeeze juice of remaining grapefruit segments into bowl (you should have 1/3 cup juice).

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat. Pat scallops dry, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and season with pepper. Saute scallops until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip, and continue to cook until barely opaque all the way through, about 2 minutes more. Divide scallops between 2 plates, and loosely tent with foil. Reduce heat to low, and add grapefruit juice. Cook, stirring and scraping up browned bits, until reduced to 1 tablespoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour sauce over scallops.

Combine cucumber, lemon juice, remaining 2 teaspoons oil, the grapefruit zest and pieces, chives, tarragon, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Shave fennel into bowl, season with pepper, and toss gently to combine. Pile salad atop scallops.  Serves 2.