PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH BEURRE BLANC SAUCE

Pan-Seared Scallops with Beurre Blanc Sauce image

Yield Makes 6 first-course or 4 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup water
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
2 tablespoons whipping cream
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces
Pinch of ground white pepper
1 1/4 pounds sea scallops
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons chopped fresh chives

Steps:

Boil first 3 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until mixture is reduced to 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Add cream; reduce heat to low. Add butter, 1 piece at a time, whisking until just melted before adding more. Strain sauce, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Return sauce to pan. Season with salt and white pepper. Place pan in skillet of warm water.
Sprinkle scallops with salt and white pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops; cook until golden brown and just opaque in center, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Divide scallops among plates. Top with sauce and chives.