Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 lb Green beans
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 4 Tbs Olive oil
• 2 Tbs Minced garlic
• 3 cups Ripe tomatoes, peeled, cubed
• 2 Tbs Tomato paste
• 1 tsp Dried marjoram
• 1/4 cup Coarsely chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp Oregano
• 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 3/4 lb Bow-tie pasta
• 1 lb Bay or sea scallops

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Trim and cut the green beans into 1-1/4-inch lengths. Drop them into salted boiling water and cook for 7 minutes or until slightly crisp and tender. Drain immediately and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the minced garlic. Cook briefly without letting it brown.
3. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, dried marjoram, coarsely chopped fresh basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to the saucepan. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes. Set aside.
4. Bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the bow-tie pasta, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring, for about 12 minutes or according to package instructions. The pasta should be al dente.
5. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the bay or sea scallops, remaining minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
6. Add the tomato sauce, cooked green beans, and reserved cooking liquid to the pan with the scallops. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer.
7. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the tomato-scallop mixture. Toss everything together.
8. Serve immediately, garnishing with the remaining fresh basil.

Enjoy this delicious and flavorful pasta dish with scallops and green beans!

Here are some variations of the Scallops and Green Beans Pasta recipe:

1. Creamy Scallops and Green Beans Pasta: Instead of using tomato-based sauce, create a creamy sauce by mixing heavy cream, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of white wine. Toss the cooked scallops and green beans in the creamy sauce and serve over pasta.
2. Lemon Garlic Scallops and Green Beans Pasta: Add a burst of citrus flavor by incorporating lemon juice and lemon zest into the tomato-based sauce. Additionally, increase the amount of garlic for a more pronounced garlic taste.
3. Cajun Scallops and Green Beans Pasta: Season the scallops with Cajun seasoning before cooking them. Enhance the tomato sauce with additional spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, and thyme to create a spicier and more flavorful dish.
4. Mediterranean Scallops and Green Beans Pasta: Use Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers to give the dish a Mediterranean twist. Add some crumbled feta cheese and fresh oregano as a finishing touch.
5. Asian-Inspired Scallops and Green Beans Pasta: Create an Asian-inspired version by substituting soy sauce for salt and adding ginger and garlic to the sauce. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish.
6. Pesto Scallops and Green Beans Pasta: Replace the tomato sauce with basil pesto for a vibrant and herby flavor. Toss the pasta, scallops, and green beans in the pesto sauce and top with toasted pine nuts.
7. Scallops and Asparagus Pasta: Swap green beans for asparagus to give the dish a different vegetable twist. Use the same tomato-based sauce and season the scallops with your favorite herbs and spices.