Ingredients

1. 2 cups water
2. 1/4 cup sugar
3. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4. 6 Belgian endives, cored
5. Salt and freshly ground pepper
6. 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
7. 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
8. 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
9. 1 lemongrass stalk, bottom half only, thinly sliced
10. 1 cup rich veal stock (see Note)
11. 24 sea scallops (about 2 1/4 pounds)
12. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a skillet that will hold the endives snugly, combine the water with the sugar and 1 tablespoon of the butter and bring to a simmer. Add the endives and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until tender, about 1 hour. 
2. Drain off the cooking liquid and add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the skillet. Sauté the endives over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes. 
3. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a small saucepan. Add the chopped parsley, sliced garlic, shallot and lemongrass and cook over low heat for 4 minutes. Add the veal stock and simmer over moderate heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Strain the stock and return it to the saucepan. Boil over high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 
4. Thread 4 scallops onto a parallel pair of 6-inch bamboo skewers. Repeat with the remaining scallops. Season with salt and pepper. 
5. In a large skillet, melt 1/2 tablespoon of the butter in 1/2 tablespoon of the oil. Add half of the scallops and cook over high heat until deeply browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on the bottom but barely cooked through, about 1 minute longer; transfer to a platter. Repeat with the remaining butter, oil and scallops. Set an endive on each plate and top with a scallop skewer. Drizzle the lemongrass glaze over the scallops and serve.

Make Ahead

The lemongrass glaze can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. The endives can be cooked up to 4 hours ahead.

Notes

Available in the freezer sections of specialty food stores and supermarkets. Perfect Addition is an excellent brand.