Scallops Poached In Chamomile Tea Food

POACHED ACHIOTE SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. Saute the onions with the salt until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and achiote paste and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to avoid scorching. Add the tomato paste and pour in the fish stock or clam juice and boil 5 minutes longer. Stir in the pepper and vinegar and remove from the heat.
• Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree. Pass through a strainer. The sauce keeps up to 4 days
• To finish, pour the sauce into a large skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the scallops or shrimp, reduce the heat to medium and cook 3 to 5 minutes. Serve over a bed of white rice and garnish with the capers.

SCALLOPS POACHED IN CHAMOMILE TEA

Steps:

• In a nonreactive pot over a medium heat stir the rice vinegar, sugar and salt and water until the sugar and salt are dissolved and the liquid is clear. Cool the liquid. Slice the cucumber very finely and toss with the shari(pickling liquid) let sit for 5 minutes.
• Bring one quart of water to a boil. Add the chamomile tea and let steep for 5 minutes then strain the tea. Salt the tea and keep it simmering. Add the scallops to the salted chamomile tea and let poach until barely cooked. Remove the scallops from the tea and serve over the pickled. cucumbers

CHAMPAGNE POACHED SCALLOPS WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Roast or grill the red bell peppers until the skins are charred then, using tongs transfer them to a covered container such as a small pan with a lid or even a plastic zip-loc bag to let them rest. Peel them when cool.
• Prepare the pesto. Cut the peeled red peppers brunoise (julienne then crosswise into 1/8-inch pieces) and combine with garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil. Fold in parmesan cheese and season with freshly ground black pepper. Add salt only if needed, since the cheese will add saltiness.
• Toast the baguette slices lightly on a baking sheet and set aside.
• Bring Champagne to a boil in a saucepan. Squeeze in juice of lime, then add scallop and poach until they are no longer translucent. Remove scallops to a utility platter and let Champagne reduce by about two-thirds.
• Spoon some red pepper pesto onto each slice of bread and top with a scallop. Top with a small amount of the champagne reduction and serve.