Best Golden Raisin And Caper Vinaigrette Recipes

SWEET SEA SCALLOPS IN A CAPER-RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the EVOO (twice around the pan) and the chopped shallots. Cook the shallots for a minute or so, season with salt and pepper, and combine with the parsley and capers. Add the wine and golden raisins. Simmer for 3 minutes, then transfer to a bowl and reserve.
• Wipe out the pan and return to the heat, raising the heat to high. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Add the remaining tablespoon of EVOO to the very hot pan and immediately place the scallops in the pan. Sear the scallops in a single layer, allowing them to caramelize, 2 minutes on each side. Add the reserved caper-raisin mixture along with the lemon juice. Turn the heat back a bit and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the scallops from the pan and arrange on a serving platter. Remove the pan from the stove, add the butter, and shake the skillet until the butter has completely melted. Pour the sauce over the scallops and serve with the bread.

SCALLOPS AND CAULIFLOWER WITH CAPER-RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250°F. Combine the capers and raisins in a small saucepan and add 3/4 cup water; simmer gently until the raisins are plump, about 10 minutes. Do not cook rapidly; you don't want to reduce the liquid. Let the mixture cool for a couple of minutes, then purée it in a blender. Return it to the saucepan.
• Meanwhile, use a sharp knife or mandoline to cut the cauliflower florets into 1/4-inch-thick slices; you will need a total of 24 slices. Place 1 tablespoon each butter and oil in a large skillet and sauté the cauliflower over medium high heat; do this in 2 or more batches to avoid crowding (add another tablespoon of butter or oil when necessary.) Season it with salt and pepper as it cooks. Don't turn it too often; you want it to brown nicely. Total cooking time will be about 10 minutes, after which the cauliflower should be brown and crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm in a bowl in the oven.
• Deglaze the pan by heating 1/4 cup water in it and stirring and scraping the bottom over high heat for a minute or two. Add the parsley and pour this juice over the cauliflower; gently stir and return the cauliflower to the oven while you cook the scallops.
• Place 1 tablespoon each butter and oil in another large ovenproof skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the butter foams, add the scallops and cook on one side only until nicely browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Again, do this in batches to avoid crowding (adding another tablespoon of butter or oil when necessary). Remove the scallops from the pan as they brown and season with salt and pepper; keep them warm in the oven.
• Reheat the sauce, then add the nutmeg, vinegar, and pepper and salt, if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Spoon a little of the sauce onto each of 4 serving plates. Place 6 scallop pieces, browned side up, on each plate; top each scallop with a piece of cauliflower. Finish with a tiny grating of nutmeg.

SEARED SALMON WITH RAISIN AND CAPER BUTTER

Steps:

• Make butter:
• In small bowl, combine raisins and 1/2 cup hot water. Cover and let soak 2 hours, then drain.
• In food processor, combine butter, raisins, capers, and lemon zest and pulse until well combined. Stir in chives. Transfer to large sheet of wax paper and roll into 6-inch-long log. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.
• Make salmon:
• Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. In 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil until hot but not smoking. Add 4 fillets, skin-sides-up, and sear until undersides are well browned, about 4 minutes. Turn fillets over and sear until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer to serving platter and keep warm. Wipe pan clean, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and repeat with remaining 4 fillets.
• Slice log of butter into 8 coins. Top each salmon fillet with 1 coin and serve immediately.

RAISIN-CAPER SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Rehydrate raisins by pouring boiling water over them and leave for 1 hour to rehydrate. Drain the raisins and add to the capers and parsley. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Serve with grilled lamb.

SCALLOPS W/ CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER & CAPER-RAISIN EMULSION

Steps:

• Heat the raisins, capers and their liquid, 4 tablespoons of the butter and water to a low simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat; cook 10 minutes.
• Cool 5 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a blender; blend until smooth; blend in vinegar, season with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg and pepper to taste; return mixture to the saucepan and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add cauliflower.
• Cook, turning, until brown and crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes.
• Season with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove cauliflower to a plate.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon of the butter to the skillet.
• Season scallops with remaining 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste; add scallops to skillet.
• Cook, turning once, until just opaque, about 4 minutes.
• Spoon raisin sauce onto plate; top with scallop slices, then with cauliflower slices and sprinkle with parsley; season with freshly grated nutmeg.