Seared Scallops with Leeks and Caviar Sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped
• 1 cup brut Champagne
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 20 sea scallops
• 3 tablespoons caviar
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon

1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat.
2. Add leeks and saute until tender but not brown, about 20 minutes.
3. Add Champagne and boil until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 4 minutes.
4. Transfer leek mixture to strainer set over bowl.
5. Press on leeks to extract as much liquid as possible.
6. Transfer leeks to small bowl.
7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8. Return liquid to same skillet.
9. Add cream and boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 4 minutes.
10. Transfer sauce to bowl; cool 1 hour.
11. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
12. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
13. Working in batches, add scallops to skillet and saute until just cooked through and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side for each batch.
14. Transfer to plate.
15. Spoon leeks in 5 small mounds around rim of each plate, spacing equally.
16. Top each mound with 1 scallop.
17. Stir caviar and tarragon into sauce.
18. Spoon sauce into center of each plate.

butter, leeks, brut champagne, whipping cream, scallops, caviar, tarragon

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/seared-scallops-with-leeks-and-caviar-sauce-1234 (may not work)