Seared Scallops with Beet Salad and Horseradish Cream
- 1 pound large unpeeled beets, cut into 1-inch wedges
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1 tablespoon drained prepared horseradish
- 1/2 cup creme fraiche
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 12 jumbo scallops (about 1 pound)
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Put the beet wedges in a medium baking dish, season with salt and pepper and add the water.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the beets are tender.
- Let cool slightly.
- Peel the roasted beets and transfer to a food processor.
- Pulse several times, just until coarsely chopped.
- Transfer the chopped beets to a bowl and stir in 1/4 cup of the olive oil, the raspberry vinegar and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
- In a small skillet, combine the minced shallot with the horseradish, creme fraiche and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until the creme fraiche is melted, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Keep the sauce warm over low heat.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil until nearly smoking.
- Using a paring knife, score a shallow crosshatch pattern into one side of each scallop.
- Season the scallops with salt and pepper and add them to the skillet, scored side down.
- Cook over high heat until the bottom is browned, about 3 minutes.
- Turn and cook until the scallops are lightly browned on the second side, and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes; don't let the scallops become opaque.
- Spoon the roasted beet salad onto plates and top with the seared scallops.
- Drizzle the warm horseradish cream all around and serve right away.
beets, salt, water, extravirgin olive oil, raspberry vinegar, shallot, horseradish, creme fraiche, lemon juice, jumbo scallops
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/seared-scallops-with-beet-salad-and-horseradish-cream (may not work)