March Magic: Chef Neal Fraser's Sauteed Day Boat Scallops

This is the second in a series of three recipes Chef Neal Fraser has kindly shared with us. If anyone knows what on earth midnight moon* is, please speak up :) -- MsW

Sautéed Day Boat Scallops

Risotto, midnight moon, English peas

From Neal Fraser,  Grace Restaurant 

Serves 4 people for an entrée

12 ea u-10 day boat Maine scallops (u-10 means under 10 to a #)

6 oz butter

2 oz olive oil

4 oz frozen English peas

1 gallon chicken stock

1 ea yellow onion, peeled and cut into brunoise

8 oz Arborio rice ( canaroli)

4 oz picked basil leaves

1 oz spinach, washed

3 ea peeled garlic cloves

Kosher salt, Diamond Crystal

6 oz white wine

2 oz midnight moon goat cheese

1 oz butter

For the sauce:  sauté 1 oz of the chopped onion and garlic cloves till translucent.  Add 3 oz white wine and reduce till dry.  Add 2 cups of chicken stock and cook onion/ garlic mixture till soft.   Add the peas, a touch of salt and cook for 3 more minutes over a medium flame. Add the spinach and wilt.   Place all ingredients in a blender.  Add 3 oz of butter and blend till smooth.  Taste for salt and add more if you need it.  Strain thru a chinoise and keep warm.

For the risotto:  heat olive oil with remainder of chopped onion in a large enough pot to hold the risotto and the stock you are going to add.  Cook onion till translucent. Season with a touch of salt. Add the rice and sauté for 3 minutes.  Add the remainder of the wine and reduce till absorbed.  Add 2 cups of chicken stock and cook till absorbed.  Add stock one more time and cook till al dente.  Finish with midnight moon, butter and salt as needed.

For the scallops:  Season the scallops just before you put them in the pan. Heat a non stick pan or well seasoned iron skillet till hot.  Add some vegetable oil, season scallops with kosher salt and gently place in the pan.  Add 1 oz of butter to help the scallops caramelize.  When golden brown, flip over and cook for 1 more minute.

Serve in a bowl, sauce 1^st, risotto topped off with 3 scallops.  Enjoy.  

*midnight moon is blackberry moonshine!