Seared Scallops With Crispy Leeks Food

SCALLOPS WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Remove the scallops from their shells, or ask your fishmonger to do this. Separate the white flesh from the corals, and detach the hard skin around the white and the tiny black sack from the coral. Wash clean under a running tap. Halve the whites horizontally. Leave to dry off on some paper towels.
• Wash the leeks and discard the green parts. Slice the white stems lengthwise into narrow strips about 2 inches long. Place in a saucepan with 1-ounce of the butter, a pinch of salt and 8 tablespoons of water. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Keep hot.
• In another pan melt the rest of the butter and then gently cook the shallots until they are soft. Add the wine, vermouth and scallops with their corals. Bring just to the boiling point, then turn the heat very low and simmer for exactly 2 minutes, or less if the scallops are small.
• Remove the leeks from their liquid using a slotted spoon and place in the heated dish. With the same spoon place the scallops on top. Add the leek juice to the scallop juice and boil until the liquid is reduced to 8 tablespoons. Pour in the cream, return to the boil and bubble for a moment or two. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over the scallops. Scatter with the chopped parsley.

LEMON BUTTERED SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Place the scallops on a paper towel-lined sheet tray and pat dry. Sprinkle the scallops with salt and pepper.
• Preheat a large nonstick saute pan on medium-high heat, then add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the scallops and sear on one side until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Gently turn the scallops over and add the Lemon Butter, basting the scallops by gently spooning the melting butter over the top, for about 1 minute.
• Add the wine and lemon juice and allow the scallops to simmer until they are cooked through, another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the scallops to a platter and sprinkle with the chives.
• Combine the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt in a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon the butter onto the lower third of a piece of plastic wrap. Fold the plastic wrap over the butter and use a spatula to compress the butter into a log about 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. Twist both ends of the plastic wrap to seal the butter inside. Refrigerate the butter until firm, at least 30 minutes, before using.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH FLAVOURED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat half the oil in a frying pan. Add the shallots, garlic and lemon zest, and fry gently until soft. Add the greens the anchovies, and cook for 5 mins until the leaves are wilted.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a non-stick pan, then add the scallops and fry for 1-2 mins on each side. Add the butter and lemon juice to the pan and swirl until the butter melts and you have a glossy sauce. Divide the cabbage and scallops between 6 plates and serve with the pan juices spooned over.

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH HERB BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Rinse scallops under cold water. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels; surface moisture prevents browning.
• Heat a 10- or 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the oil and butter, and heat until hot. Pat the scallops dry once more and put them in the pan in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and let sear undisturbed until one side is browned and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn the scallops and sear until the second side is well browned and the scallops are almost firm to the touch, 2 to 4 minutes. Take the pan off the heat, transfer the scallops to a plate, and set them aside. Let the pan cool for a minute before you make the sauce.
• Return the pan to medium heat. Add half of the butter (1 1/2 tbsp.) and the leeks; sauté until the leeks begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by about half, another 1 to 2 minutes. Add the herbs and lemon zest. Reduce the heat to low, add the remaining butter, and whisk constantly until the butter melts into the sauce. Return the scallops and any gathered juices to the pan. Gently roll the scallops in the sauce to warm them through. Taste for salt and pepper and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over the scallops.
• Serve and Enjoy!

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH LEEKS & LEMON CHILLI BUTTER

Steps:

• For the butter, mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl, then beat well with a wooden spoon until there are no lumps of butter left. Spoon onto a large sheet of cling film, then wrap tightly in a sausage shape. Chill until firm (or put in the freezer if you're short of time).
• Set up a pan with a steamer or suspend a heatproof colander over the top of a pan. Cut the leeks in half lengthways, then slice into long strips, about the thickness of tagliatelle. Cover, then steam for 6 mins until tender, with no signs of squeakiness. Season, then set aside.
• Dry the scallops on kitchen paper and season. Heat a heavy-based pan, then add the oil. Once hot, add the scallops, keeping them close together - this helps the sides to stay straight and tall rather than sagging. Sizzle for 2 mins until caramelised and you can see the heat creeping up the outside. Turn over with a palette knife, then fry for 1 min more. Take off the heat, then add a few good slices of the butter to the pan, spooning over the scallops as it melts.
• To serve, wind a nest of warm leeks in the centre of 4 plates, top each with 3 scallops, spoon over the buttery sauce (it looks smart trickled around the plate), then sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Squeeze over a little lemon juice before you tuck in.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ROASTED TOMATOES, CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND SMA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 240d Celsius. Season the tomatoes and sprinkle with the oregano or Italian spices.
• Drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven skin side down for about 10-15 minutes.
• Place the prosciutto slices beside the tomatoes and continue to roast for a further 10 minutes until the tomatoes are juicy and the prosciutto is crispy.
• In a pan fry the garlic, chillies and anchovies in 1 dessert spoon of olive oil for a minute or 2.
• Add your beans and cook for a couple of minutes before adding a wine glass of water.
• Bring to the boil, then lightly mash to a course puree.
• Loosen the puree with a little more water if need be.
• Finish the flavour off with some peppery extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Season the scallops then sear them on a very hot grill pan that has been rubbed liberally with olive oil for 2 minutes without touching them.
• Check and continue to fry until they have a nice sweet caramelized skin--turn over and cook the other side the same.
• Don't overcook them.
• Remove to a bowl and coat with a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice.
• Put some smashed bean puree on each plate, scatter over the tomatoes, prosciutto and scallop and finish off with the rocket.