Fragrant saffron rice and a bright and herby green sauce cut through the richness of butter-seared scallops in this simple and impressive weeknight dinner. 

Ready in 1 hour Makes 2 servings 

FOR THE RICE

• 1 generous pinch high quality saffron threads (about ½ tablespoon)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• Sea salt 
• 2 cups white basmati rice 
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock or water 
• 1 tablespoon grass fed butter

FOR THE GREEN SAUCE

• 4 cloves garlic 
• ¼ cup mint 
• ½ cup parsley 
• 3 tablespoons chives
• 3 tablespoons dill 
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, more if needed 
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, more if needed
• Sea salt and pepper to taste

FOR THE SCALLOPS

• 1 pound scallops 
• Sea salt and pepper 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 tablespoon grass fed butter

STEP 1 First make the rice. Place the saffron in a small bowl and top with a little bit of warm (not boiling) filtered water. Let sit for 5 minutes to let the saffron bloom. 

STEP 2 Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven with a lid. Add the onions along with a pinch of salt, and cook until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and the saffron with blooming liquid. Stir everything to combine and cook for another minute. Add the cooking liquid of your choice and 1 tablespoon of the butter. Bring everything to a boil, stirring once or twice to combine. Reduce heat to low, place a lid on the pot and cook for 20 minutes. 

STEP 3 After 20 minutes, remove rice from the heat, but leave the lid on. Let the rice finish cooking off the heat for another 10 minutes. After ten minutes, use a fork to fluff the rice, and leave it to rest.

STEP 4 Make the green sauce while the rice cooks. Throw the garlic, herbs, lemon juice and olive oil into your mini food processor and pulse until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper, adding more oil or citrus if needed. You could even throw in an anchovy or two to up the umami. Please don’t put your fingers directly in the food processor (unplug it and use a spoon). If you aren’t using a machine, this can all be done by hand. Set aside.