Name: Pan-Seared Scallops with Smoked-Tomato Butter and Warm Spinach Salad
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 1/4 hr
Yield: Makes 4 first-course servings
Ingredients: 1 large tomato (about 1/2 pound); 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 (2-ounce) piece slab bacon (rind discarded), cut into 1/4-inch-thick sticks; 2 cups loosely packed baby spinach (1 ounce); 1 cup loosely packed watercress sprigs (3/4 ounce), coarse stems discarded; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice; 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 8 sea scallops (9 to 10 ounces total), tough muscle removed from side of each if necessary; 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil*; a stovetop smoker/cooker; 1 teaspoon fine hickory wood chips**; 4 (2 1/2- to 3-inch) scallop shells or small ovenproof plates

This recipe makes more smoked-tomato butter than you need for the scallops — use the leftover butter on steak or fish.

Cooks' note:

Smoked-tomato butter can be chilled up to 3 days or frozen, wrapped in foil (in addition to the wax paper), 2 weeks.

*Available at specialty foods shops, some supermarkets, and The Baker's Catalogue (800-827-6836; bakerscatalogue.com).
**Available at cameronsmoker.com (888-563-0227).

Recipe notes

29 Ricotta Recipes for Dinner, Dessert, and More

Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.

The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week

Like seared scallop piccata and chocolate Guinness cake.

Chocolate Guinness Cake

A generous glug of stout gives this snackable loaf a malty depth.

Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon

This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.

The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Vegan Chili

This vegan chili skips the meat but keeps all of the smoky-savory flavors that make it so comforting: cocoa powder, beans, and all of the toppings.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.