Cook The Book: Scallops With Pea Purée And Ham

Name: Cook The Book: Scallops With Pea Purée And Ham
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen baby peas; 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil; 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; Leaves from 1 large bunch of mint, chopped; Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon sunflower or peanut oil; 4 large, paper-thin slices serrano ham or prosciutto (or 8 thin cooked bacon slices); 12 diver scallops, cleaned; A little extra-virgin olive or canola oil, to serve

Servings: persons

1
First, make the pea puree: Cook the peas in boiling salted water until tender, then drain, reserving the cooking water, and empty the peas into a blender or food processor. Put the oil and garlic in a small pan and allow to sizzle gently for barely a minute until the garlic just begins to color. Quickly pour it into the blender with the peas. Add the butter, mint, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Blend to a puree, adding a little of the cooking liquid if necessary to give a consistency similar to that of coarse hummus. Taste and adjust the seasoning; keep warm.
2
To cook the scallops, put a large, nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Tear the ham into large shreds and add to the pan, turning the pieces over in the oil as soon as they start to crisp -this should take less than a minute. Transfer to a warm plate. Season the scallops, add them to the pan, and cook for about a minute, until golden brown underneath. Turn them over and cook for a minute on the other side.
3
Immediately transfer the scallops to 4 warm plates, adding a few scraps of ham to each one. Put a good dollop of pea puree next to the scallops, drizzle with a little extra-virgin oil plus the juices from the scallop pan, and grind over some pepper. Serve right away.

437

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen baby peas, 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil, 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, and more.

Yes, Cook The Book: Scallops With Pea Purée And Ham falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!