Pan Roasted Scallops W Sweet Potato Puree And Walnut Vinaigrette

• 6 medium fresh scallops
• 1 large yam (or 2 sweet potatoes)
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 5 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 3 teaspoons walnut oil
• 3 teaspoons chopped shallots (or green onion)
• 2 cups baby arugula leaves
• 1 tablespoon soft butter
• salt
• pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0F.
2. For the puree: Wash the yam and towel dry. Puncture it with a fork in several places, season it with salt and pepper, wrap it in a damp paper towel and microwave on high for approximately 3 minutes (until the center is cooked and soft). Cut the cooked yam in half long ways and scoop out the flesh. Puree in a food processor or with a blender. Season with butter, salt, and pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. For the vinaigrette: Place walnuts on a baking sheet and cover with the granulated sugar. Bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Then, in a bowl, whisk together the walnut oil, 4 tsp of olive oil, vinegar, walnuts, and shallots. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
4. For the scallops: Season the scallops with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a non-stick pan on high heat (7 out of 10 on my stove) with the remaining 1 tsp of olive oil. Saute the scallops a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Total saute time should be about 6 minutes.
5. Once scallops are ready, quickly toss 2 tsps of the vinaigrette with the arugula leaves in a separate bowl.
6. For assembly: Spread the puree onto each plate into a flat pancake (you can warm the puree in the microwave if it has become cold). Top the puree pancakes with a small pile of seasoned arugula leaves. Then place 3 sauteed scallops on top of the leaves. Finish each plate by drizzling the vinaigrette over the top, drizzling around the plates edge for a "gourmet" finish!

fresh scallops, yam, walnuts, olive oil, sugar, red wine vinegar, walnut oil, shallots, baby arugula, butter, salt, pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/pan-roasted-scallops-w-sweet-potato-puree-and-walnut-vinaigrette-182526 (may not work)