Scallops With Curried Cauliflower Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CAULIFLOWER PUREE WITH WALNUT BUTTER

Steps:

• Place the cauliflower and the vegetable stock in a sauce pan then bring to a simmer and cook for 8-12 minutes until the cauliflower is soft.
• Drain the cauliflower well, reserving the cooking liquid.
• Puree the cauliflower using either a handheld immersion blender, food processor or blender. Adding in a little cooking liquid until you have a constancy that you like.
• Season to taste and either divide it up between two covered plates or set aside until needed. (see note 2)
• First ensure the scallops are dry by patting them with paper towel to remove any moisture. Then leave them to sit on a sheet of paper towel.
• Place a heavy non-stick fry pan over a medium high heat and add the oil. Let the oil get smoking hot.
• Season the scallops lightly with salt. Then carefully and quickly add the scallops to the fry pan. Do them individually starting at 12 o'clock and working around the outside of the pan.
• Cook the scallops for 90 seconds on one side.
• Turn the heat off under the pan and add the butter and walnuts to the fry pan.
• Use tongs to gently turn each scallop over into the sizzling butter, again starting at 12 o'clock and working around in the same order you added the scallops. (see note 3)
• Once the butter has stopped sizzling, add 3 scallops to each plate and spoon over the walnut butter.
• Garnish with pomegranate arils and chopped oregano/parsley.
• Serve immediately.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH CIDER GLAZE AND CAULIFLOWER TWO WAYS

Steps:

• For the glaze: In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, shallots, ginger, chile pepper and vinegar. Place over high heat until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, discard the chile, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.
• For the purée: Place a large saucepan over moderate heat. Add the canola oil and the cumin, and heat until shimmering. Add the shallots and ginger, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cauliflower trimmings and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Add Aleppo pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the trimmings to a food processor with about 1/2 the liquid. Process until smooth, adding liquid from the saucepan as needed to make a thick but pourable purée. Set aside and keep warm.
• For the roasted cauliflower: Place a medium skillet over moderate heat. Add the canola oil and the cauliflower and Romanesco broccoli. Stir, uncovered, until coated with oil, about 1 minute. Cover and continue to cook until beginning to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onion, ginger, rosemary and thyme. Stir, cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and set aside.
• For the scallops: Pat scallops dry with a towel. Heat a skillet over high heat; when hot, turn heat off and add oil. After a moment, add the scallops and return to high heat. Cook until well seared on each side, about 3 minutes a side.
• Place some purée on one side of each of 4 plates. Top with the roasted cauliflower and broccoli. Place scallops on the other side. Drizzle with glaze.

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.