Pairing: Chardonnay

 


APPETIZER

Sea Scallops with Fennel Marmalade

 

Note: This marmalade can be used for many other recipes, including a side dipping sauce for shrimp or pork tenderloin. It makes about two cups.

To serve 30 appetizers

  • 1 fennel bulb, finely diced. Reserve some of the feathery greenery for garnish.
  • 2 T shallots, peeled and finely diced.
  • 2 oranges, peeled, segmented, and diced.
  • 1 T orange zest
  • 4 cups orange juice (can use frozen orange juice for this)
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 T fennel seed
  • 1/4 cup Cointreau
  • 30 sea scallops, patted dry

Combine all ingredients except the 2 T of the Cointreau in a heavy saucepan. Reduce by about 75% or until you have no more than two cups. Add remaining Cointreau and set aside. If the marmalade is too tart, add a bit of white sugar at this point. This can be made days in advance. Bring about 1 cup back to warm on top of the stove when you are preparing to serve the dish.

Sauté scallops in batches, in 1 ts. olive oil and a small dab of butter, until lightly browned on each side. About 3 minutes total time. A non-stick skillet works best. I would always undercook rather than overcook a scallop.

To serve immediately, place a scallop on a wheat cracker, and top with a scant teaspoon marmalade. Garnish with minced fennel greens.

If the dish is part of a buffet of appetizers, I would put the scallops topped with marmalade on one plate, and crackers on a separate one.



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