Jean Georges Scallops Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ROASTED EGGPLANTS AND MARINATED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Arrange the oven rack in the lowest position. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Use a fork to poke holes all over the eggplants. Put the eggplants on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven. Roast, turning occasionally, until the skins are charred and the eggplants are very soft, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board.
• When cool enough to handle, peel the eggplants and cut in quarters lengthwise. Cut each piece in half crosswise. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the garlic, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the oil, a pinch of chile flakes, and a pinch of salt. Gently stir well.
• Turn a gas burner to high. Set the peppers directly over the flame and cook, turning frequently, until the skin is charred all over. Alternatively, broil or grill the peppers as close to the heat source as possible. When cool enough to handle, use paper towels to rub off the charred skin. Remove and discard the stems and seeds, then cut each pepper into very thin slices. Transfer to a medium bowl and add the lime juice, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and a pinch of salt. Stir well.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot. Season half the scallops with salt and pepper. Add enough oil to generously coat the bottom of the pan, then add the seasoned scallops, one at a time. Cook until a golden brown crust forms on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes, then carefully flip and cook until a crust forms on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining scallops in the same pan, letting the pan get very hot again and adding more oil if needed.
• Divide the eggplant mixture among 4 serving dishes. Top with the scallops, then the pepper mixture. Scatter the dill all over.

CEVICHE MARINATED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• 1. Toss together all the ingredients except the cilantro and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• 2. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve, garnished with the cilantro.

SCALLOPS AND CAULIFLOWER WITH CAPER-RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250°F. Combine the capers and raisins in a small saucepan and add 3/4 cup water; simmer gently until the raisins are plump, about 10 minutes. Do not cook rapidly; you don't want to reduce the liquid. Let the mixture cool for a couple of minutes, then purée it in a blender. Return it to the saucepan.
• Meanwhile, use a sharp knife or mandoline to cut the cauliflower florets into 1/4-inch-thick slices; you will need a total of 24 slices. Place 1 tablespoon each butter and oil in a large skillet and sauté the cauliflower over medium high heat; do this in 2 or more batches to avoid crowding (add another tablespoon of butter or oil when necessary.) Season it with salt and pepper as it cooks. Don't turn it too often; you want it to brown nicely. Total cooking time will be about 10 minutes, after which the cauliflower should be brown and crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm in a bowl in the oven.
• Deglaze the pan by heating 1/4 cup water in it and stirring and scraping the bottom over high heat for a minute or two. Add the parsley and pour this juice over the cauliflower; gently stir and return the cauliflower to the oven while you cook the scallops.
• Place 1 tablespoon each butter and oil in another large ovenproof skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the butter foams, add the scallops and cook on one side only until nicely browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Again, do this in batches to avoid crowding (adding another tablespoon of butter or oil when necessary). Remove the scallops from the pan as they brown and season with salt and pepper; keep them warm in the oven.
• Reheat the sauce, then add the nutmeg, vinegar, and pepper and salt, if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Spoon a little of the sauce onto each of 4 serving plates. Place 6 scallop pieces, browned side up, on each plate; top each scallop with a piece of cauliflower. Finish with a tiny grating of nutmeg.

GRILLED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice and salt. Place scallops in a large bowl, and toss with butter mixture. Let stand for about 2 minutes.
• Thread scallops onto skewers, or use a wire grill basket. Cook on preheated grill for about 4 minutes per side.
• Return butter mixture to saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and keep warm while scallops cook. Toss with grilled scallops and serve.

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN'S FRIED SUSHI CAKES

Steps:

• Combine sushi rice, mirin, rice-wine vinegar, konbu and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium saucepan with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid wrapped in a damp cloth and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes or until done. (Alternatively, use a rice cooker.) Remove from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Line an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with plastic wrap. Firmly press the rice into the pan. Refrigerate until set, preferably overnight. Remove the rice from the pan and, using a chef's knife dipped in hot water to prevent sticking, cut into roughly 1-by-3-inch rectangles.
• Make the chipotle mayonnaise: Combine the egg yolk, red-wine vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, adobo and liquid and 1 teaspoon salt and purée in a food processor or blender. Add the 3/4 cup grapeseed oil and the olive oil in a drizzle and process until smooth, thick and creamy.
• Make the honey soy sauce: In a small saucepan, bring the soy sauce, honey, sherry vinegar and 1 tablespoon rice-wine vinegar to a boil and stir until smooth. Cool before using.
• Heat grapeseed oil in a pan, deep enough to just about cover the rectangles. A broad skillet will require more oil than a deep saucepan, but will allow you to cook more pieces at once. Allow oil temperature to reach 350 to 360 degrees. Dredge the rice rectangles in rice flour and cook until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes total, turning once; transfer to paper towels and season with salt
• Combine chipotle mayonnaise and scallions. Top each rectangle with a bit of the mayonnaise, then drape with a piece of raw scallop. Brush or drizzle with honey soy, then garnish with a bit of cilantro and a tiny pinch of salt.