James Budross Lobster And Scallops With Beurre Blanc Recipes

COQUILLE ST. JACQUES (SCALLOPS WITH BEURRE BLANC)

Steps:

• Marinate scallops in vermouth at least 15 minutes (or up to an hour); In a medium saucepan large enough to hold a small heavy saucepan, boil some water and set aside.
• In that small heavy saucepan, simmer shallot in vinegar and wine until liquid is reduced to approximately 1T; Remove from heat and add water; Reduce heat to low and cook, adding 6T butter 1T at a time; whisking in each new piece before the previous one has melted completely (occasionally lift pan from heat to cool mixture); Sauce should never liquify, it should be similar to a thin hollandaise; remove from heat and whisk in herbs, and salt and pepper to taste; Cover and keep warm in pan of hot water.
• Drain scallops and pat dry.
• Season scallops with salt and pepper; Heat 1 T butter and 1 T olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over moderate heat, until foam subsides; saute half of the scallops, turning once until just cooked through (approx 4 minutes total); wipe out skillet and saute the other half of the scallops in remaining butter/olive oil mixture.
• Serve scallops with beurre blanc.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH TARRAGON-BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper (total).
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then sear scallops, turning once, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a platter.
• Add shallot, wine, and vinegar to skillet and boil, scraping up brown bits, until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Add juices from platter and if necessary boil until liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Reduce heat to low and add 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until almost melted, then add remaining 3 tablespoons butter and swirl until incorporated and sauce has a creamy consistency. Stir in tarragon and salt to taste; pour sauce over scallops.

BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• In small saucepan, combine shallots, wine, and vinegar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 10 minutes.
• Turn down heat to lowest possible flame. Whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, adding a piece as previous one melts. Don't allow sauce to become too hot. For a more smooth sauce, strain through a fine sieve, if desired.
• Season with salt and pepper and keep over a bain-marie. Just before serving, stir in herbs.

JAMES BUDROS'S LOBSTER AND SCALLOPS WITH BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• Drop the lobsters into boiling water, cover closely and cook about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Trim off the tough ends of each endive and trim away any brown spots. Cut each endive crosswise in half. Cut each half lengthwise into thin slices. Cut the slices into very thin julienne strips. There should be about four cups.
• Trim off the ends of the leek or leeks. Cut the leeks crosswise, green part and all, into two-inch lengths. Cut each length into very thin julienne strips. There should be about four and one-half cups.
• Heat four tablespoons of the butter in a heavy skillet and add the leeks. Cook, stirring, about 10 minutes. Add the endive, stirring to blend. Add the salt and pepper. Cover closely and cook, stirring occasionally, about three minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the scallops in a small skillet and add the wine. Bring to the boil and cook, stirring occasionally, about one minute. Drain the scallops, reserving the cooking liquid. There should be about one-quarter cup.
• Heat one tablespoon of butter and add the shallots. Add the vinegar, and cook until almost reduced. Add the reserved scallop cooking liquid. Cook until liquid almost evaporates. Add the cream, salt and pepper, and bring to the boil. Cook down until reduced almost by half. Add the remaining eight tablespoons butter, a little at a time, to the sauce, stirring with a wire whisk.
• Pull apart and crack the lobsters, removing the meat from the tails and claws. Cut the meat into neat, bite-size cubes.
• When ready to serve, transfer the hot endive and leek mixture to a warm serving dish. Arrange the lobster pieces over the center of the vegetables. Arrange the scallops around the lobster meat. Spoon the sauce equally over the scallops and lobster meat. You may garnish the top of this with the tip of the lobster heads, arranging them beak to beak. Serve on six warm dinner plates. Top each serving with a teaspoon of caviar.