Ingredients

• 1/4 cup finely shredded basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 jalapeño—halved, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 2 avocados (10 ounces each) peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 pounds sea scallops
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the basil, lime juice, olive oil, onion, jalapeño and garlic. Gently mix in the avocados and season with salt and pepper.
2. 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 to platter.
3. Add water and tomatoes to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat, scraping up any browned bits, until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Pour the pan sauce over the scallops and serve the avocado salsa on the side.
4. RELAX