The second entry for the Food Play -1. Going to Spain this time with a great Serrano ham and paprika vinaigrette. Deb, from smittenkitchen.com actually gave me the idea of using the vinaigrette with potatoes. It’s the same dressing used in the Salad Sevillana recipe.

Ingredients

3 fresh day boat scallops
3 slices of serrano ham
2 cups of baby red and purple potatoes
3 TBs. of sherry vinegar or champage vinegar
1/4 cup of chopped shallots
1/4 cup of butter
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Paprika Vinaigrette:
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

1. For the vinaigrette, combine first 8 ingredients in blender or processor and blend until well combined and frothy. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
2. Place the potatoes in a medium sauce pan and fill with cold water to cover the potatoes. Add 1 TBs. of salt to water and boil until potatoes are just fork tender. Drain and cut into 1/4″ rounds. Toss with paprika vinaigrette to taste and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Preheat a medium pan on medium-high heat. Add 1 TBs. of olive oil and coat the pan.
4. Wrap the scallops with serrano ham and use a toothpick to secure the ham. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Saute the scallops 1-2 mins. per side depending on thickness. The scallops I had are 2″ thick so it was 2 mins. per side. Remove from pan and set aside.
5. Keep the pan hot, deglaze with sherry vinegar and make sure to scrape up the little brown bits.
6. Add the shallots and saute for 2 mins.
7. Add the butter and keep the heat on until the butter begins to foam and turn a nutty brown color. Turn off heat.

Plating

1. Place a scallop on each plate and stack a mix of potato rounds.
2. Drizzle with paprika vinaigrette and brown butter sauce.

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Sweet & simple vinaigrette that’s great for seafoods.

Ingredients

3 TBs of champagne vinegar
2 TBs of whole grain Dijon mustard
1 small shallot, finely chopped
2 TBs of Honey. I prefer a thyme honey
1/2 + cup of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Whisk the vinegar, mustard and shallot in a bowl. Whisk in the honey, and oil until the mixture begins to thicken and emulsify. Grind some sea salt and pepper to taste.

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