Scal­lops with Single-Malt Scotch, Creme Fraiche and Saffron

(serves 2 really hun­gry people)

16 King Scal­lops (the biggest you can get, roe on or off as you like)
4 tbsps unsalted but­ter
1 cup creme fraiche (or a mix of sin­gle and soured creams)
two shots good sin­gle malt scotch
juice of a half lemon
salt, pep­per
pinch of saf­fron threads soaked in hot water for 10 minutes

In a heavy skil­let, melt the but­ter and sim­mer until it begins to brown, then lay the scal­lops in, clock­wise so you remem­ber which went in first. Cook until the edges begin to brown on the under­side, and then turn the scal­lops over in the order in which you laid them in the skil­let. Expect major splat­ter­ing of but­ter. When the sec­ond side browns nicely, remove the scal­lops (again, in the proper order) to a wait­ing plate. This whole process should take about 4 min­utes. Do not overcook.

To the skil­let add the creme fraiche or creams. Sim­mer until the mix­ture is thick and coats the back of a spoon. Add the scotch and cook down until no more smell of alco­hol rises from the skil­let. Taste and add lime juice, then salt and pep­per and saf­fron. Return the scal­lops to the skil­let and toss in the sauce for a minute. Plate up with sauce on the bot­tom, a nice help­ing of celeriac-potato mash, top with scal­lops and serve with sauteed asparagus.

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