SEARED SEA SCALLOPS WITH LIME-GINGER SAUCE AND CARAMELIZED ENDIVE

Seared Sea Scallops With Lime-Ginger Sauce and Caramelized Endive image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Time 45m

Yield Six first-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 heads Belgian endive, halved lengthwise
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound sea scallops
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 shallot, peeled and minced
1/2 clove garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
6 tablespoons imported white port or dry white wine
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste
2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 large ripe tomato, peeled, seeded and diced small

Steps:

To make the endive, melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Season the endive with salt and pepper and place cut side down in the skillet. Cook until lightly browned on the bottom, about 8 minutes.
Sprinkle the sugar and lime juice over the top and cook, turning occasionally, until the endive are caramelized and tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes longer. Cover and keep warm (can be prepared ahead and reheated in the oven).
To make the scallops, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, place them in the skillet and sear until lightly browned and warm in the center, about 1 minute per side.
To make the sauce, combine the shallot, garlic, ginger, lime juice and port in a nonreactive saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer until nearly all of the liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add the cream, bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until all is incorporated. Strain the sauce and season with salt, pepper and a touch of cayenne. Keep warm.
To serve, place 1 endive half on each of 6 plates. Divide the scallops among the plates and spoon the sauce over and around them. Sprinkle with the scallions and tomato. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 253, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 439 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams