Season and Dry: First, I sprinkle a little salt over my scallops and then pat them very dry with paper towels. Keeping the scallops cold right until cooking helps the centers remain tender.
Heat the Pan: Next, I heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, I add a small drizzle of olive oil.
Sear the Scallops: Carefully place the scallops into the pan, making sure they have enough space. They need about 2 minutes on one side to form that golden crust. If the scallops are smaller, sometimes I only sear one side. Once done, I transfer them to a plate.
Make the Sauce: In the same pan, I add the butter and shallots. I sauté for about 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the scallops. Then I pour in the coconut milk, lime juice, and tequila. I let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, I add salt to taste.
Serve: I plate the scallops on a dish (or even on scallop shells for extra fun) and spoon the sauce over them. I finish with a pinch of minced cilantro or some colorful edible flowers. Enjoy!