Cheddar Topped Scallops With An Herb Salad Recipes

SCALLOPS AND CHEDDAR GRITS WITH CHORIZO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 3 1/2 cups water to a boil, and add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Slowly stir the grits into the water, pouring the grits in a fine stream. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the Cheddar, cover, and keep warm in the oven.
• Ten minutes into cooking the grits, pat dry the scallops, season them with salt and pepper on both sides, and heat a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil to the pan, then the chorizo, and cook until the sausage renders some fat, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the scallops, shake the pan to move them around a little, and sear for 2 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until browned, 2 minutes. Remove the scallops and chorizo to a plate lined with a paper towel.
• Reduce the heat under the pan to medium, and add the scallions, garlic, and lemon juice. Cook for 2 minutes, and remove from the heat.
• On each of 4 plates, make a bed of grits, then place the scallops on top, and drizzle pan sauce and chorizo on and around the scallops and grits. Serve quickly.

HERB NEST SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange lettuce leaves on a plate. Create "nests" on top of the lettuce leaves using chopped herbs. Spoon a tablespoon of artichoke pesto into the nests. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and chopped almonds and serve.
• Cook's Note: Prepared pestos and tapenades can be found where the pasta and sauces are in the grocery store.

CHEDDAR-AND-HERB BOXTY

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and very soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water by 1 inch and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl, add the milk and mash until smooth. Let cool at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the cooked onion, egg yolk, flour, cheese, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the potatoes; stir until combined. Scoop 1/4 cupfuls of the potato mixture onto a lightly floured surface and form into twelve 3-inch pancakes.
• Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the pancakes until golden brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Gently flip, adding more butter to the pan if necessary, and continue cooking until browned on the other side, 3 to 4 more minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve. Top with chives.

WHITE WINE-POACHED SCALLOP AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Bring wine, a pinch of salt, bay leaf, celery, and fennel to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce to a simmer; cook until vegetables are just tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a medium bowl; discard bay leaf. Set aside. Add scallops to pan; simmer until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer scallops to bowl of vegetables; refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup poaching liquid in a small bowl. Refrigerate until cold, about 20 minutes.
• Stir lemon juice into poaching liquid. Add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Slice scallops in half horizontally; toss with dressing and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Toss herbs, celery leaves, and fennel fronds in a small bowl, then divide among 4 serving plates. Top each with scallops and vegetables, dividing evenly. Drizzle with oil and dressing from bowl. Garnish each salad with a lemon wedge.

GRILLED SCALLOPS WRAPPED IN PANCETTA, WITH HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium. Brush scallops lightly with olive oil. Unravel pancetta into 6 thin strips. Cut strips to fit around the scallops' narrow rims. Wrap a strip of pancetta around each scallop, and thread scallops on 2 parallel skewers through the pancetta so they are easier to turn.
• In a large bowl, toss together arugula, butter lettuce, mint, fennel and orange zest. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt, and toss to mix. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Divide among 4 plates.
• Season scallops lightly on the top and bottom with salt. Grill until scallops and pancetta are crisp on edges and scallops are cooked through. Remove from grill and place on top of salads. Serve.