Ingredients for POM Brown Butter
2 cups pomegranate juice
3 tablespoons pomegranate arils
2 tablespoons toasted hazelnuts, rough chop
5 tablespoons butter, browned
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chives, sliced
Ingredients for Celery Root Puree
1 large celery root, peel and cut into medium dice
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups water
Ingredients for Scallops
24 large diver sea scallops (U/10 is the size reference)
16 sprigs watercress
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions for POM Brown Butter
Over medium heat, cook butter until it’s completely melted and starts to turn golden brown. In a small pot, reduce the pomegranate juice until thick and syrupy. Add the pomegranate arils, hazelnuts, brown butter and lemon juice. To finish the sauce when the scallops are cooked, add the sliced chives, salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a touch of water.
Directions for Celery Root Puree
Place the celery root, water and heavy cream in a pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. When the celery root is tender, remove from the liquid, and blend until smooth. If the puree is too hard to blend, use some cooking liquid to help loosen it. The consistency should be like a smooth potato puree. Season with salt and pepper, and reserve until serving.
Directions for Scallops
Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Heat the pan over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and then quickly sear the scallops, being careful not to overcook. This should take about 1 minute on each side for a perfect medium-rare temperature. Use a spoon to make a large swoosh across each plate with the celery root puree. Place three scallops next to the puree and spoon over the sauce. Garnish the plate with the petite watercress, and enjoy.
Nutrients per Serving (3 scallops): 182 calories (93 calories from fat), 9g protein, 10g total fat (5g saturated), 14g carbohydrates, 1g dietary fiber, 39mg cholesterol, 7g total sugars, 47mcg vitamin A RE, 257mg sodium, 364mg potassium, 9mg vitamin C.
Time to Table
20 minutes prep, 1 hour 5 minutes cooking
Makes 8 servings.