Truffled Bay Scallops With Celery Purée Food

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH TRUFFLED POTATO CELERY ROOT PUREE

Steps:

• Melt the unsalted butter in a medium (10-inch) saute pan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and saute for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned. Add the potatoes, celery root, heavy cream, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to very low, cover the pan, and simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. Be careful?don't let the vegetables scorch on the bottom of the pan!
• In two batches, pour the leek and potato mixture into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until coarsely pureed. Return the puree to the saute pan, stir in the truffle butter, taste for seasonings, and keep warm over very low heat. If the puree gets too thick, add a little more heavy cream.
• If it hasn't already been removed, peel off the tough strip of muscle on the side of each scallop. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and, when the oil is almost smoking hot, add the scallops in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes, until golden brown on the bottoms. Don't crowd the scallops or they'll steam rather than sear. Using a small metal spatula, turn the scallops and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until just cooked through.
• Spoon the warm puree onto 3 dinner plates. Place the scallops on the puree, drizzle with the basil oil, and sprinkle with the chives. Serve warm.

CELERY ROOT PUREE

Steps:

• Place the celery root in a large pot and cover it with the milk by a few inches. (You may not need to use all the milk.) Add a few pinches of salt along with some freshly grated nutmeg. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer until the celery root is fork tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup milk, then return the celery root to the pot.
• Place the pot over medium heat and let the celery root dry out for a minute or 2. Add the reserved milk and mash or puree using a potato masher or blender until very smooth. Check for seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.

BAY SCALLOPS WITH GARLIC PARSLEY BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Spread 1/2 tablespoon butter on one side of each piece of toasted Italian bread. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. When oil begins to smoke, pour scallops into pan. Cook for 30 seconds without stirring.
• Toss scallops in pan and stir in garlic. Cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir wine and lemon juice into scallops, bring to a boil, and cook for about 30 seconds.
• Stir parsley and cold butter into scallops and remove from heat. When butter melts, stir in salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Spoon scallops over buttered toast and serve immediately.