CL SEARED SCALLOPS ON BRAISED WILD MUSHROOMS

CL SEARED SCALLOPS ON BRAISED WILD MUSHROOMS image

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 4 ounces)
1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 2 ounces)
1 cup sliced oyster mushroom caps (about 2 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon truffle oil or extravirgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds large sea scallops
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups trimmed watercress

Steps:

Preparation Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; sauté 2 minutes or until mushrooms begin to soften. Add wine, thyme, and juice; reduce heat to low, and cook 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Pour mushroom mixture into a bowl. Stir in truffle oil; cover and keep warm. Wipe pan dry with paper towels. Pat scallops dry with paper towels; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place cornmeal in a shallow dish; dredge scallops in cornmeal. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in pan over high heat. Add scallops; cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve over watercress and mushroom mixture. Wine note: No matter how they're prepared, scallops have a flavor that's unique, complex, and earthy, while their texture is almost creamy. And while all sorts of white wines work well, there's a European classic that's not to be missed: albariño. Albariños are fresh, superlively, and have light peach, citrus, and almond flavors. Try Burgans Albariño 2002 (Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain), $12. -Karen MacNeil