Jerusalem artichoke and vanilla soup with scallops recipe

• 50 g (1.8oz) Unsalted butter
• 4 Shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 Vanilla pod
• 1 Garlic clove, thinly sliced
• 1 kg (2.2lbs) Jerusalem artichokes, peeled, sliced and placed in water with a squeeze of lemon juice
• 1 Medium sized potato, peeled, thinnly sliced
• 1 l (1.8pints) Light chicken stock
• 200 ml (7fl oz) Double cream
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 Jerusalem artichokes, cut lengthways into thin wedges
• 8 Medium size roe less scallops
• 1 pinch Vanilla salt (optional)

1. Heat butter in a large pan, add the shallots and cook over a low heat for 5 minutes until softened, and slightly caramelized.
2. Scrape the vanilla seeds from the pod and add the seeds and pod along with the garlic and artichokes to the pan, cook for a further 8 minutes.
3. Add the potato, chicken stock and bring to the boil.
4. Reduce to a simmer, season with salt and pepper and cook until artichokes are tender for approximately 20-30 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, remove vanilla pod and blend the soup until smooth.
6. Pass soup through a fine sieve into a clean pan, add the cream and season to taste before warming through.
7. Add a little extra stock/water if it's a little too thick.
8. Meanwhile, pre-heat a frying pan, heat a little of the olive oil, once hot add half the butter, the artichoke wedges, vanilla salt and pepper and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and tender (4-5 minutes), remove with a slotted spoon, drain on absorbent paper.
9. Wipe out the pan and return to heat, once hot add the oil.
10. Season scallops with vanilla salt and sear in hot oil over a high heat for 30 seconds on each side or until golden.
11. Add remaining butter and cook for a minute more.
12. Place scallops and artichokes on the base of a large flat soup bowl, pour soup around and serve immediately.

butter, shallots, vanilla pod, garlic, artichokes, potato, l, cream, olive oil, butter, artichokes, scallops, vanilla salt

Taken from www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/14095/maria-elias-jerusalem-artichoke-and-vanilla-soup-with-scallops (may not work)