Name: Pan-Seared Scallops with Smoked-Tomato Butter and Warm Spinach Salad
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 1/4 hr
Yield: Makes 4 first-course servings
Ingredients: 1 large tomato (about 1/2 pound); 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 (2-ounce) piece slab bacon (rind discarded), cut into 1/4-inch-thick sticks; 2 cups loosely packed baby spinach (1 ounce); 1 cup loosely packed watercress sprigs (3/4 ounce), coarse stems discarded; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice; 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 8 sea scallops (9 to 10 ounces total), tough muscle removed from side of each if necessary; 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil*; a stovetop smoker/cooker; 1 teaspoon fine hickory wood chips**; 4 (2 1/2- to 3-inch) scallop shells or small ovenproof plates

This recipe makes more smoked-tomato butter than you need for the scallops — use the leftover butter on steak or fish.

Cooks' note:

Smoked-tomato butter can be chilled up to 3 days or frozen, wrapped in foil (in addition to the wax paper), 2 weeks.

*Available at specialty foods shops, some supermarkets, and The Baker's Catalogue (800-827-6836; bakerscatalogue.com).
**Available at cameronsmoker.com (888-563-0227).

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

London Fog Brownies

Yes, brownies can—and should—be made with white chocolate.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.