PAN-FRIED SCALLOPS ON CARAMELIZED FENNEL

Pan-Fried Scallops on Caramelized Fennel image

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 pounds fennel bulbs (about 2 medium)
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 dried bay leaves
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
8 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon coarse salt
Pinch of freshly ground white pepper
2 teaspoons light-brown sugar
1 14 1/2-ounce can low-sodium chicken broth, or homemade
1 sprig thyme
3/4 cup water
8 large scallops (about 14 ounces), muscles removed
1/3 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, packed
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, for garnish
Shaved truffle, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Trim the feathery tops from the fennel bulbs, and discard. Trim the stem pieces and outer leaves from the bulbs; clean, and reserve 2 cups (about 8 ounces) of these trimmings for the puree. Slice each bulb through the root into 4 1/2-inch-thick strips.
In a small roasting pan, combine the garlic, 1 shallot, 1 bay leaf, orange zest, 1/4 teaspoon cardamom, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, white pepper, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and the chicken broth. Add the fennel slices, and gently toss to coat with the mixture. Cover the roasting pan with foil, and cook in the oven until the fennel is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 45 minutes. Remove the fennel from the pan, and transfer to a plate to cool.
Coarsely chop the fennel trimmings. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the trimmings, the remaining shallot, 1/4 teaspoon cardamom, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the trimmings soften, about 4 minutes.
Add the water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover the pan, and simmer until the trimmings are soft when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and thyme; transfer the mixture to the bowl of a food processor. Puree, adding 2 tablespoons oil through the feed tube with the motor running. Set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the reserved fennel slices until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan, and set aside. In the same pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the scallops, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt; sauté until brown on the first side, about 4 minutes. Turn, sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon salt, and add the parsley. Sauté until the other side is brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; add the lemon juice to the pan. Toss the scallops and parsley in the pan juices.
To serve, place 2 1/4-cup dollops of fennel puree on each plate; top each dollop with a fennel slice and a scallop. Garnish with wilted parsley leaves, toasted pine nuts, and shaved truffle, if desired.