Scallops With Cauliflower and Potato Puree

I heard about this recipe from my cousin who got it from her newspaper, originally from 'Cooking Light'. She made it and said it was delicious. I haven't made it yet because scallops are too pricey for my pocketbook right now. According to my cousin and the reviews I read, this is much easier to make than it looks. The picture of the recipe shows tarragon veggies as a side, that's the way the recipe read in her newspaper, and makes for a very pretty presentation. so I've also included that recipe here. This recipe did not specify fresh or dried tarragon. Since it only calls for 1 tsp, I assumed it would be dried, but then it says 'chopped' and one does not need to chop dried tarragon. If you don't have fresh tarragon, I'd start with just a pinch of dried and taste from there. I'm posting it here for safe-keeping.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 cups

Ingredients

• 2  cups cauliflower, chopped
• 1  cup yukon gold potato, peeled and cubed
• 1  cup water
• 1⁄2 cup chicken broth
• 1  tablespoon canola oil
• 1 1⁄2 lbs sea scallops
• 3⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed

• Tarragon vegetables

• 1  cup sugar snap pea
• 1⁄3 cup water
• 1  cup carrot, matchstcks
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons butter
• 1  teaspoon tarragon, chopped
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1  teaspoon cider vinegar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. For the cauliflower / potato puree: Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil,in a saucepan, cover, reduce heat and simmer 6 minute or until potato is tender.
2. Remove from heat, uncover and let stand 10 minute Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over high heat, add oil, swirl around pan to coat. Pat scallops dry, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp of the salt, and all of the black pepper, and 1/4 tsp of the red pepper.Sear scallops and cook until done, remove from pan. Drain 1/2 of the water from cauliflower / potato mixture, pour into blender, add remainder of salt, and red pepper,and blend until smooth. Divide among plates, and top with about 4 scallops each. Equally divide and place tarragon veggies on the side.
3. For the Tarragon Vegetables:
4. Place sugar snap peas and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, cook 2 minutes. Add carrots and butter, cover and cook another 2 minutes, Stir in tarragon, mustard, vinegar and salt. Serve as a side dish.
5. Note: According to 'Cookin Light', the yield is about 1/2 cup of puree and 4 scallops per person for 4 servings, and also 4 servings for the veggies. Also, the recipe didn't specify exactly where to put the red pepper, so I divided it, but you may put it where-ever you like.