Seared Scallops over Chestnut Brandy Sauce with Rosemary Polenta Crackers
- 3 Tablespoons Butter, Divided
- 4 ounces, weight Pancetta, Diced
- 1 whole Large Shallot, Diced
- 1/2 cups Brandy
- 10 whole Chestnuts, Roasted And Peeled
- 1 cup Chicken Stock
- 12 whole Sage Leaves
- 8 whole Large Bay Scallops
- Sea Salt And Pepper, To Taste
- 1 cup Dried Polenta
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Rosemary, Minced
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Sage, Minced
- Sea Salt, to taste
- For the polenta crackers: Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Prepare the polenta according to the package instructions adding the rosemary and sage when you add the dried polenta to the sauce pan.
- When the polenta is cooked, spread it thinly over a greased cookie sheet.
- Season with sea salt to taste and bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until crispy.
- Then remove from the oven and set aside.
- For the scallops and sauce: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium high heat and add the pancetta.
- Toast the pancetta for 4 to 5 minutes and then add the shallots.
- Season with sea salt to taste and cook the pancetta and shallots for another few minutes, until shallots are softened.
- Add the brandy to the sauce pan and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Next add the chestnuts and chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Puree the sauce with an immersion blender (or transfer it to a blender if you dont have an immersion blender).
- Then continue to simmer the pureed soup for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and keep it warm.
- In the meantime, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the whole sage leaves and toast them until crispy, about 2 minutes.
- Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
- Next season the scallops with salt and pepper and add them to the same skillet and heat on high for one minute until browned on one side.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip the scallops and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until browned on both sides and cooked through.
- Add the chestnut sauce to a bowl with the polenta crackers and top with the scallops and sage.
- Serve immediately.
butter, shallot, brandy, chestnuts, chicken, sage, bay scallops, salt, polenta, fresh rosemary, fresh sage, salt
Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/appetizers-and-snacks/seared-scallops-over-chestnut-brandy-sauce-with-rosemary-polenta-crackers/ (may not work)