Seared Scallops with Cranberry Beans, Clams & Chorizo

• 2 cups shelled fresh cranberry beans (10 ounces)
• 1 medium carrot, halved lengthwise
• 1 celery rib, cut into 3-inch lengths
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 thyme sprigs
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 ounces Spanish chorizo, cut into thin matchsticks
• 1/4 cup minced shallots
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 3/4 cup freshly shucked littleneck clams (from about 2 dozen clams)
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 16 large sea scallops (1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 cup lightly packed watercress leaves

1. In a large saucepan, combine the beans, carrot, celery, onion, bay leaf and thyme with enough water to cover by 1 inch.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Cook over moderate heat until the beans are tender and creamy, about 20 minutes.
4. Drain the beans and discard the vegetables and herbs.
5. In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil until shimmering.
6. Add the chorizo, shallots and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the chorizo fat starts to render and the shallots have softened, about 2 minutes.
7. Add the clams and cook, stirring, until just warmed through, about 2 minutes.
8. Stir in the beans, vinegar and paprika and cook until the beans are hot, about 2 minutes.
9. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and 2 tablespoons of water.
10. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
11. In a very large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering.
12. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, add them to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat until browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes.
13. Turn the scallops over and cook until opaque, about 2 minutes longer.
14. Transfer the scallops to a plate to stop the cooking.
15. Spoon the cranberry beans and clams onto plates and arrange the scallops and watercress on top.
16. Drizzle with olive oil and serve right away.

cranberry beans, carrot, celery, onion, bay leaf, thyme, extravirgin olive oil, spanish chorizo, shallots, garlic, freshly shucked littleneck clams, sherry vinegar, paprika, flatleaf parsley, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, watercress leaves

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/seared-scallops-cranberry-beans-clams-chorizo (may not work)