Seared Cumin Sea Scallops With Cauliflower And Leeks Recipes

CUMIN GRILLED SEA SCALLOPS WITH CHICKPEA SALAD AND RED PEPPER-TAHINI VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat your grill to high.
• Brush the scallops on both sides with the oil. Mix together the cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl and season each scallop with the mixture. Grill the scallops until crusty, golden brown and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• Top the chickpea salad with the scallops and drizzle with the vinaigrette before serving.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, oil, cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Transfer the salad to a large serving platter, cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours before serving.
• Steep saffron in a hot water for 5 minutes to bloom.
• Transfer saffron mixture to a blender and add the sherry, red pepper, garlic, tahini, honey, salt and pepper and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil and blend until emulsified. The vinaigrette can be made up to 4 hours in advance, covered and kept refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH LEEKS & LEMON CHILLI BUTTER

Steps:

• For the butter, mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl, then beat well with a wooden spoon until there are no lumps of butter left. Spoon onto a large sheet of cling film, then wrap tightly in a sausage shape. Chill until firm (or put in the freezer if you're short of time).
• Set up a pan with a steamer or suspend a heatproof colander over the top of a pan. Cut the leeks in half lengthways, then slice into long strips, about the thickness of tagliatelle. Cover, then steam for 6 mins until tender, with no signs of squeakiness. Season, then set aside.
• Dry the scallops on kitchen paper and season. Heat a heavy-based pan, then add the oil. Once hot, add the scallops, keeping them close together - this helps the sides to stay straight and tall rather than sagging. Sizzle for 2 mins until caramelised and you can see the heat creeping up the outside. Turn over with a palette knife, then fry for 1 min more. Take off the heat, then add a few good slices of the butter to the pan, spooning over the scallops as it melts.
• To serve, wind a nest of warm leeks in the centre of 4 plates, top each with 3 scallops, spoon over the buttery sauce (it looks smart trickled around the plate), then sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Squeeze over a little lemon juice before you tuck in.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CABBAGE AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat 4 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add leek; cook until soft, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cabbage, and add stock. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is slightly soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, and season with pepper. Set aside.
• Sprinkle scallops with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and season with pepper. Heat remaining 4 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add scallops; cook, turning once, until dark golden, about 4 minutes per side.
• Divide cabbage mixture among four plates, and top each serving with 3 scallops. Garnish with lemon.