Seared Scallops with Garlic-Parsley Butter

Ingredients

• 12 scallops (about 1 in. wide; about 12 oz. total)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, rinsed, stemmed, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Yukon Gold potato purée (recipe follows)

Preparation

1. 1. Rinse scallops and pat dry; sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add scallops and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides and opaque but still moist-looking in the center (cut to test), about 4 minutes total. Transfer scallops to a plate; cover with foil to keep warm.
2. 2. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter, garlic, and shallot to pan. When butter is melted, add mushrooms; stir often until mushrooms are browned, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, along with chicken broth, parsley, tomatoes, white wine, and lemon juice; bring to a boil and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
3. 3. Spoon potato purée into four shallow bowls; top each with 3 scallops. Spoon mushrooms and sauce over scallops.
4. Yukon Gold potato purée. In a 4- to 5-quart pan over high heat, bring 2 to 3 quarts water to a boil. Peel 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes; cut into 1-inch chunks. Add potatoes to pan; cook until tender when pierced, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and return to pan. Mash potatoes with 1/4 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth, 2 tablespoons whipping cream, and salt and pepper to taste.