Scallops With Thai Scented Pea Puree Recipes

SCALLOPS AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS WITH PEA PUREE

Steps:

• While the hot-water tap runs, put the peas in a 1 1/2 quart microwave-safe container. Add 3 tablespoons hot tap water, cover and cook in a microwave oven on high power for 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Remove and discard any stems from the mushrooms and thinly slice the caps. Remove the tough, small strip on the sides of the scallops. If necessary, cut the scallops to make them as close to uniform in size as possible.
• Raise the heat under the skillet to high and add the scallops. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes, turning once halfway through. Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes. Add the herbes de Provence, vermouth and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 3 minutes while you coarsely chop the chives. The mushrooms will be just wilted and the scallops lightly browned.
• Put the cooked peas and their liquid in a food processor with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter and salt and pepper to taste, and puree. To serve, ring a serving platter with the puree and put the scallops and mushrooms in the middle. Sprinkle with the chives.

PEA PUREE

Steps:

• Fill a pan with cold water and throw in the clove of garlic. Bring to the boil and then add salt and the peas. Cook until tender, drain, and put into a food processor, or blender, and add the creme fraiche, cheese, and dried mint. Puree the peas until knobbly and check the seasoning, adding salt if you need to. Tip the pureed peas into a bowl (or back in the pan is probably a better idea) and cover to keep them warm.

SCALLOPS WITH THAI-SCENTED PEA PUREE

Steps:

• Cook the peas in boiling, slightly salted water until tender, then drain and tip into a blender, adding 1 tablespoon curry paste and the creme fraiche or sour cream. Season to taste with salt and perhaps add more curry paste, depending on how strong it is.
• Heat the oil and butter in a frying pan until foamy, and then fry the scallops for 2 minutes a side. If you are using big scallops then it is sometimes easier to cut them in half across.
• When they are cooked, they will have just lost their raw look in the middle and be lusciously tender, while golden and almost caramelised on the outside.
• Lift the scallops onto two warmed plates and then deglaze the hot pan by squeezing in the lime juice. Stir to mix well and pick up every scrap of flavour, and then pour over the scallops on each plate.
• Dish up the pea puree alongside the scallops, and sprinkle with the chopped cilantro or Thai basil. Serve with another wedge of lime if you feel like it.

SCALLOPS WITH THAI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, broth, peanut butter and chili sauce until smooth; set aside. , In a large skillet, saute scallops in 1 tablespoon oil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until firm and opaque. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm. , In the same pan, saute the onion, red pepper and cashews in remaining oil for 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Add scallops and corn; heat through. Serve with pasta if desired.

SCALLOPS WITH THAI-SCENTED PEA PUREE

Steps:

• Cook the peas in boiling, slightly salted water until tender, then drain and tip into a blender, adding 1 tablespoon curry paste and the creme fraiche or sour cream. Season to taste with salt and perhaps add more curry paste, depending on how strong it is. Heat the oil and butter in a frying pan until foamy, and then fry the scallops for 2 minutes a side. If you are using big scallops then it is sometimes easier to cut them in half across. When they are cooked, they will have just lost their raw look in the middle and be lusciously tender, while golden and almost caramelised on the outside. Lift the scallops onto two warmed plates and then deglaze the hot pan by squeezing in the lime juice. Stir to mix well and pick up every scrap of flavour, and then pour over the scallops on each plate. Dish up the pea puree alongside the scallops, and sprinkle with the chopped cilantro or Thai basil. Serve with another wedge of lime if you feel like it. Make Ahead Notes: The pea puree can be made 2 to 3 hours ahead. Drain peas and immediately rinse with plenty of cold water. Puree when cold with 1 tablespoon of the curry paste and creme fraiche or sour cream. Put in a bowl, cover and leave in a cool place or refrigerator. Reheat gently in a saucepan, taste and adjust seasoning before serving. If using sour cream, make sure the puree doesn't boil, otherwise it will turn grainy.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH MINT, PEAS, AND BACON

Steps:

• Place scallops on a paper towel-lined plate and pat very dry with additional paper towels. Season both sides with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper total.
• Bring 1 cup water to a boil, covered, in a small pot. Add peas and 1/2 tsp. salt; cook until peas are bright green and tender, about 2 minutes for fresh and 4 minutes for frozen. Drain peas through a strainer set over a bowl; reserve cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, add bacon to a large skillet and heat over medium-high. Cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until fat starts to render, about 3 minutes. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned and bacon is crisp, about 3 minutes more. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon and shallot to a small bowl, reserving fat in skillet. Add 1/2 cup cooked peas to bacon mixture.
• Purée lemon juice, 1/8 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. pepper, the remaining 1 1/2 cups peas, and 1/2 cup reserved pea cooking liquid in a blender. Add oil and pureé until smooth. Add 2 Tbsp. mint leaves and pureé until just combined but pieces of mint are still visible. Divide pea purée among 4 plates.
• Heat skillet with reserved fat over high until just barely smoking. Working in batches and adding more oil if necessary, sear scallops until a golden brown crust has formed and scallop releases from skillet, about 3 minutes per side. Top pea purée with scallops and bacon-pea mixture, then sprinkle with remaining 1 Tbsp. mint.

SCALLOPS WITH PEA PURéE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the garlic, rosemary and oil. Place over medium-low heat until the oil starts to bubble. Turn off the heat and leave the mixture to infuse.
• Place peas in a large pan of lightly salted water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until peas are tender but still bright green, cooked slightly longer than usual. Drain, and transfer to a food processor. Add 1/4 cup of the infused oil (discard garlic and rosemary). Process until pureed, then return to the pan, cover, and keep warm.
• Season the cornstarch with salt and pepper to taste. Place a heavy skillet over medium heat and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the remaining oil. When the oil is hot, lightly dust the scallop halves with seasoned cornstarch, and add to the pan. Cook until browned, about 2 minutes each side.
• To serve, divide pea puree between two plates and add scallops. Serve immediately.