A clean, white plate frames a mound of creamy risotto tinted with subtle greens and flecks of white celery root. Atop this bed of risotto, three golden-brown scallops glisten, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a drizzle of brown butter adding color and texture.

Seared Scallops with Celery Root Risotto

Name: Seared Scallops with Celery Root Risotto
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: celery root, 1 large peeled and cut into chunks; sea scallops, 12 large cleaned and patted dry; arborio rice, 2 cups; onion, 1 finely chopped; garlic, 2 cloves finely chopped; parsley, 1 handful finely chopped; parmesan cheese, 1 cup grated; white wine, 1 cup; chicken broth, 4 cups; unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons; olive oil, 2 tablespoons; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 45 minutes

Style American

Technique Sauté

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: February 17, 2026

This dish is a modern twist on classic American comfort food, focusing on a lesser-known but equally delicious root vegetable: Celery Root. Combine it with creamy risotto and pan-seared scallops for a sumptuous and sensational fusion of flavors.

Ingredients (for 4)

Celery root - 1 large - peeled and cut into chunks
Sea scallops - 12 large - cleaned and patted dry
Arborio rice - 2 cups
Onion - 1 - finely chopped
Garlic - 2 cloves - finely chopped
Parsley - 1 handful - finely chopped
Parmesan cheese - 1 cup - grated
White wine - 1 cup
Chicken broth - 4 cups
Unsalted butter - 4 tablespoons
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🥣🍠🔄

Puree the peeled and chunked celery root in a food processor until smooth.
Step 2 - 🔥🍳🧅🧄

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, add finely chopped onions and garlic, saute until translucent.
Step 3 - 🔥🍚🔄

Add the Arborio rice to the pan, saute until each grain is coated with oil.
Step 4 - 🍷🍚🔄

Pour in the wine, stir until the wine is absorbed by the rice. Then add the celery root puree and mix well.
Step 5 - 🍲🥄⌛

Stirring constantly, add the chicken broth one cup at a time, waiting for each to be absorbed before adding more. Continue until all the broth is absorbed and the rice is al dente.
Step 6 - 🧀🥄🧂

Stir in the parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 7 - 🔥🍳🍤

In a separate pan, melt the remaining butter over high heat. Add the large, cleaned, sea scallops and sear for 1-2 minutes on each side. Season them with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 8 - 🍛🍤🌿

Place the seared scallops on top of the risotto, and garnish it with finely chopped parsley.

Additional

This dish is a great way to introduce celery root to your repertoire. Its earthy, creamy texture combined with the crispy, buttery scallops create a harmonious blend that's perfect for a cozy winter main course. Plus, kids will love helping with the risotto stirring process!