Pan Fried Scallops With Cauliflower Vanilla Purée Recipes

SCALLOPS WITH CAULIFLOWER PUREE, PARSLEY, AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Put cauliflower, shallot, stock, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is soft, 15 to 18 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a food processor, filling no more than 2/3 full each time. Season with salt and pepper. Cauliflower puree can be refrigerated up to 2 days; reheat over low heat until warm, stirring occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss Jerusalem artichokes in a medium bowl with about 1 teaspoon oil and a pinch of salt, separating rounds with your fingers. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until light golden brown and crisp, 10 to 20 minutes, checking often and transferring slices to a plate as they brown. Set plate above or near oven to keep warm.
• Stir together parsley, chives, and capers in a small bowl. Pour in remaining 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons oil, and stir. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt; season with pepper. Set relish aside.
• Preheat broiler, with rack 6 inches from heat. Lightly brush a rimmed baking sheet with oil. Add scallops, and turn to coat. Toss with about 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Squeeze lemon over scallops. Broil until scallops are just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Spoon 1/2 cup cauliflower puree onto each of 4 plates, and top with 3 scallops. Drizzle with relish, and sprinkle with salt. Top with Jerusalem artichoke chips; serve.

PAN-FRIED SCALLOPS WITH CAULIFLOWER VANILLA PURéE

Steps:

• Put the cauliflower, milk, vanilla pod and its seeds into a small saucepan with a pinch of salt. Cover and simmer for 10 mins until the cauliflower is tender. Drain the cauliflower, reserving the milk and discarding the vanilla pod. Whizz the cauliflower until smooth in a food processor, adding a knob of butter, seasoning and enough reserved milk to make a nice, smooth consistency. This can be made up to a day ahead, then reheated in a pan or microwave.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cover a baking tray with a sheet of baking paper, lay the pancetta on top and cook for 8-10 mins until crisp. Drain on kitchen paper, drizzle with maple syrup and set aside until serving. 3 Fry the porcini in half the olive oil in a hot pan for about 4 mins until starting to brown. Keep warm.
• Heat the remaining oil and butter in a frying pan and season the scallops. Fry the scallops for 1-1½ mins on each side over a high heat until caramelised. To assemble, spoon the purée onto plates, top with porcini, scallops and pancetta, then sprinkle with chives.