Seared Scallops With Basil, Anchovy & Sweet Corn Pudding

Manami's Note:

The quality of the fresh seafood is key in this lemony, piquant dish. April Bloomfield recommends seeking out day-boat scallops, caught by fishermen who return from a day at sea with supremely fresh scallops that haven't been treated with any kind of preservative. If you can't get the "just-caught" make sure they are of a coral-color instead of a milky-white. Chef Alice Bloomfield - From Pairing of the Day: July 2008, Published 2007. Wine Chardonnays from California’s Carneros region are known for their lemon cream and fruit notes, a nice echo for these scallops. Two good Carneros bottlings are the melon-tinged 2005 St. Clement and the tropical-fruited 2005 Rombauer.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 50 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

CORN PUDDING

• 1 2⁄3; cups corn kernels (cut from 4 ears of corn)
• 2⁄3; cup whole milk
• 2⁄3; cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
• salt
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (take it easy if adding more)
• 2 large eggs , separated

SCALLOPS

• 3 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 16 sea scallops (about 1 pound)
• salt (easy on the salt)
• white pepper
• 4 anchovy fillets , minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1⁄3; cup chopped basil or 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• 2 cups pea shoots (1 ounce)

Directions:

1. MAKE THE CORN PUDDING:
2. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
3. Butter four 1-cup ramekins.
4. In a medium saucepan, combine the corn, milk and heavy cream and simmer over moderately high heat for 2 minutes.
5. Puree half of the mixture in a blender.
6. Return the puree to the saucepan.
7. In another medium saucepan, melt the butter.
8. Add the flour and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, for 1 minute.
9. Gradually whisk in the corn mixture and bring to a boil, then simmer, whisking, for 1 minute; season with salt.
10. Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolks.
11. Let cool until warm, about 20 minutes.
12. In a large, stainless steel bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until firm peaks form.
13. Fold one-third of the beaten whites into the corn mixture, then fold in the remaining whites.
14. Spoon the mixture into the ramekins.
15. Set the ramekins in a small baking dish and carefully add enough water to the dish to reach one-third of the way up the sides of the ramekins.
16. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the puddings are just slightly jiggly in the center.
17. MEANWHILE, PREPARE THE SCALLOPS:
18. In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil until smoking.
19. Season the scallops with salt, & white pepper, add them to the skillet and cook over high heat until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes.
20. Turn and cook the scallops for 1 minute longer.
21. Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the scallops to a large plate.
22. Add the anchovies to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until they dissolve, about 2 minutes.
23. Add 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice and the water to the skillet and simmer until thickened, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute.
24. Remove from the heat.
25. Stir in the basil or Italian seasoning and any accumulated juices from the scallops.
26. Season with salt & white pepper.
27. Return the scallops to the skillet and keep warm.
28. In a bowl, toss the pea shoots with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice; season with salt.
29. Arrange the scallops on 4 plates and pour the basil-anchovy sauce on top.
30. Mound the pea shoot salad alongside and serve with the corn puddings.