MEXICAN DIVER SCALLOPS WITH BLACK RICE, ENGLISH PEAS, AND GINGERED TANGERINES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Peel the carrots, leaving 1/2-inch of tops attached, and cut them in half. Blanch the carrots in the water for 1 minute. Set aside.
• Place the Black Rice in a pot in the oven to heat it up.
• Heat a large heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium-high heat. Season the scallops on all sides with 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the oil into the pan and let it heat for 30 seconds. Place the scallops in the pan on their flat round sides. Cook them for 3 to 4 minutes or until they are nicely caramelized. Turn them over and lower the heat. The scallops should be just barely cooked through.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium-sized heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium heat.Add the butter and then the shallots and blanched carrots. Season the shallots and carrots with salt and pepper and cook gently for about 2 minutes without getting any color on the carrots.
• Add the peas and then the pea shoots to the pan with the carrots, season with additional salt and pepper, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the peas are just cooked and the pea shoots have just wilted. Season the vegetables with a squeeze of the lemon. Plate the hot black rice at the center of 6 large plates. Scatter the vegetables over the rice. Place 3 scallops on top of the rice on each plate. Spoon the Tangerine Vinaigrette over the scallops and serve immediately.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepot. Add the black rice and toast slightly, stirring constantly for about 1 minute. Add the diced shallots and bay leaf and stir for 1 minute more. Add the water and salt. Simmer for about 45 minutes or until the rice is tender but slightly al dente. You will see the water turn a beautiful purple color. The idea is for the liquid to cook down to form a "sauce" which will coat the rice. If the water cooks away before the rice is done, add a little more water at a time. Ideally there will be no water to drain off. When the rice is done, pour it onto a sheet pan to cool.
• Section the tangerines into "supremes" (sections without the pith), and reserve the remainder of the tangerines. Set supremes aside. Squeeze the juice from the remainder of the tangerines and reserve.
• Place the shallots in a small bowl with the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the tangerine juice, salt, and ginger. Let the mixture macerate for 5 minutes. Whisk in the honey and then the olive oil. Taste for seasoning and adjust. Stir in the reserved tangerine segments and parsley.