Seared Sea Scallops with Ricotta and Spring Pea Mash and Chive Oil

There are just three simple parts to this elegant dish from star chef Emeril Lagasse. The ricotta and pea mash and the emerald-green chive oil can be made well in advance, so the only last-minute task is cooking the scallops. Slideshow:  More Scallop Recipes 

Yield:
4

Ingredients

CHIVE OIL

  • 2 cups chopped chives (4 ounces)

  • 1/2 cup canola oil

  • Kosher salt

RICOTTA AND SPRING PEA MASH

  • 1 1/2 cups baby peas

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil

  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

  • 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese

  • Kosher salt

  • Pepper

SCALLOPS

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 12 extra-large sea scallops (about 2 pounds)

  • Kosher salt

  • Pepper

  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Make the chive oil

  1. Fill a medium bowl with ice water. In a medium saucepan of boiling water, blanch the chives for 10 seconds. Drain, then transfer to the ice bath to cool. Drain well. Squeeze out as much water from the chives as possible and pat dry.

  2. In a blender, puree the chives with the canola oil until smooth. Strain the chive oil through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing on the solids. Season the chive oil with salt.'

Make the mash

  1. In a medium saucepan of salted boiling water, cook the peas just until tender, 2 to 3 minutes; drain well and pat dry. Using a fork, mash the peas until chunky. Stir in the olive oil, mint, Parmigiano, basil, shallot, lemon juice and garlic. Fold in the ricotta and season with salt and pepper.

Cook the scallops

  1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, add 6 to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, turning once, until golden and just opaque throughout, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate. Wipe out the skillet and repeat with the remaining olive oil and scallops.

  2. Spoon the mash onto plates and arrange the scallops around it. Drizzle with the chive oil and serve with lemon wedges.

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