Napa Rose Sea of Cortez Rock Scallops

Napa Rose

Grand Californian Hotel

12 large rock or diver scallops

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons clarified butter

11/2 cups chive potatoes (see following recipe)

11/2 cups lobster sauce (see following recipe)

Have mashed potatoes ready; they can be held warm and ready to serve.

Make lobster sauce and have it ready as well.

Place scallops on a towel and season with salt. Over medium high heat 2 tablespoons of clarified butter in a large sauté pan. Make sure pan is very hot, then add seasoned scallops.

Sauté for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Using kitchen tongs, turn scallops over and begin browning the opposite side. If they are cooking too quickly reduce the heat to medium. Once scallops are cooked on both sides, serve immediately.

To plate, place the hot chive whipped potatoes in the center of the plate, set two scallops per person on top of the potatoes. Then with a spoon, ladle sauce over the scallops and potatoes.

Napa Rose Sour Cream & Chive Whipped Potatoes

3 Russet potatoes, peeled

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup snipped chives

Salt and pepper to taste

Place potatoes in a pot with enough cold water to cover them by at least 3 inches. Place on burner set to medium heat and bring to a boil. Simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and transfer potatoes to a mixing bowl. Smash or pass potatoes through a ricer. Season with salt, chives and add the butter and cream until potatoes are nice and moist. Add lemon, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

These should be made in advance and can be held warm.

Napa Rose Lobster, Lemon & Vanilla Sauce

1 lobster (steamed, cracked and meat removed)

1 tablespoon clarified butter

2 minced shallots

1 cup white wine

1 cup chicken stock

1 vanilla bean or

1/8 teaspoon good vanilla extract

1 small pinch saffron

3 tablespoons diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

In a sauce pan, sauté shallots in 1 tablespoon of clarified butter over medium high heat. Add the white wine and reduce by 70 percent. Add the chicken stock, half of one vanilla bean, saffron and reduce by 50 percent. Add tomatoes, lobster, chopped thyme and lemon juice.

Remove sauce pan from heat and slowly whisk in unsalted butter. Mixture should resemble a creamy lobster and saffron stew. Taste sauce and adjust by adding salt or a few drops of lemon juice if necessary.

Serve with a chilled quality California Chardonnay.

Yield: For 6 as an appetizer

Source: Andrew Sutton, Napa Rose Executive Chef

www.vvdailypress.com