Adapted from Bistro Cooking at Home by Gordon Hamersley
~from Savoring Time in the Kitchen
10 whole garlic cloves, peeled and ends trimmed
1/2 cup olive oil (approximately)
1/2 cup black olives, such as Kalamata, pitted and coarsely chopped
3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in hot water until softened and coarsely chopped
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
24 large sea scallops, about 1-1/4 pounds, dried with paper toweling
Chopped basil or parsley for garnish
To make the relish:
Place the garlic cloves in your smallest saucepan. Add enough olive oil to cover the cloves completely. Bring the oil to a simmer, then turn down the heat to low. Cook until the garlic is very tender, 15-20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic into a bowl. Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil from the pan and reserve the rest for another use (it's delicious for bread-dipping!). Allow the garlic and oil to cool to room temperature. Add the olives, sun-dried tomatoes, shallot, basil and balsamic vinegar. Stir gently without breaking the tender garlic. Season with pepper. Allow the flavors to blend for at least 15 minutes before serving. It will keep in the refrigerator for a few days but allow to come to room temperature before serving.
To sear the scallops:
If you do not have a cast iron griddle or wish to cook the scallops indoors, simple using a pre-heated, large saute pan over medium-high heat. If you do try the griddle on the outdoor grill, preheat the griddle over medium-high heat for at least 5-10 minutes. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and then sear for 3 minutes on one side, flip over and sear for another 1-2 minutes on the other side.
Serve alone with the relish or serve over angel hair pasta with some of the relish tossed in.