Seared Scallops With Smoky Sweet Corn Puree Recipes

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CORN CREAM

Steps:

• Stir corn kernels, chicken broth, 2 tablespoons butter, cayenne pepper, and salt together in a saucepan; bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until corn is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Pour corn mixture into a blender no more than half full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until smooth. Pour pureed corn mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a saucepan. Season with salt to taste.
• Toss scallops, Fresno pepper, canola oil, kosher salt, and smoked paprika in a bowl until scallops are completely coated. Separate pepper slices from scallops.
• Heat a large heavy skillet over high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. Cook scallops in hot skillet until browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side until cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Cook and stir sliced peppers on the side of the skillet while the scallops are cooking.
• Remove skillet from heat; transfer scallops to a plate, leaving peppers in hot skillet. Stir water and 1 tablespoon butter into peppers until butter melts. Drizzle lemon juice over peppers; stir to glaze peppers completely.
• Divide corn cream between four bowls. Place 3 scallops over corn puree and top with glazed peppers. Garnish with radish sprouts.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH SMOKY SWEET CORN PUREE

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon then reduce heat to medium and cook until just crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Transfer bacon grease to a small bowl. Wipe out skillet with a paper towel.
• Heat butter and 1 tablespoon bacon grease in the skillet. Add the scallions and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the corn kernels, cream cheese and half-and-half or cream. Continue cooking over medium heat or until cream cheese is smooth. Season to taste with cayenne, salt and black pepper.
• Transfer half of the corn mixture to a food processor or blender. Process until almost smooth. Return to skillet, stir and keep warm.
• In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon bacon grease over medium-high heat. Season scallops with salt, black pepper and smoked paprika. Cook 2-3 minutes per side or until medium doneness.
• Stir chopped chives and half of cooked bacon into corn purée.

PAN-SEARED SEA SCALLOPS WITH CORN COULIS

Steps:

• Remove the muscle from each scallop and discard. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Place half of the scallops in the pan and cook, turning once, until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer scallops to a plate and loosely cover to keep warm. Repeat process with remaining butter, olive oil, and scallops.
• Reduce heat to medium; add shallot and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add wine and scrape brown bits from bottom of skillet. Add corn, cream, basil, and chives. Cook, stirring often, until cream is reduced and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Transfer half of the sauce to the jar of a blender and puree until smooth. Return pureed sauce to the skillet with the remaining sauce, add scallops and any juices that have accumulated on the plate; cook until warm about 1 minute.
• Divide scallops evenly among 4 plates. Spoon sauce around scallops and serve immediately.