by Dustin Valette, Chef/Proprietor, Vallette

Melted Leeks – Caviar Beurre Blanc – Fennel PollenServes 2

This is one of my favorite dishes to make and one of the most popular here at Valette! It can be a tricky dish at home though its well worth the time….

4 ea scallops, fresh, U10 in size, cleaned evictor muscle removed 1 ea Fennel, sliced thin and sautéed tender1 ea Leek, white only, washed thoroughly, sliced thin and sautéed tender1 ounce Pernod1 ounce White Wine Vinegar½ ounce Cream3 ounces Butter1 pinch Fennel Pollen½ ounce Caviar1 ea Egg, whisked with a little water2 Sheets Puff Pastry (we have a pastry shop make it for us, though store bought is �ne)

Start by getting 2 small pots (around 1 ½ pints in size); in the pot place the sautéed leeks and fennel, a little piece of butter and half of the Pernod. Season the scallops with salt, pepper, the pinch of fennel pollen and place inside the pot.

Wrap the pot with the puff pastry as a ‘lid’. Using the whisked egg brush on the puff pastry with a pastry brush, (we use a denatured sepia ink here at Valette, though the egg wash will work great for home). Bake the scallop pot in a 375 degree oven for about 12 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the scallops are barely cooked.

While the scallops are cooking combine the remaining pernod, vinegar and cream in a small pot and begin to reduce until half the liquid is evaporated. Slowly whisk in the remaining butter and adjust with salt and pepper.

Once the scallops come out of the oven pierce the top of the domed puff pastry with a spoon or knife, the aromatics will be amazing. Now mix in the caviar into the butter sauce and pour that into the pot.

Serve and Enjoy!

Dustin

*The timing will take a little practice since a home oven varies the cooking time vastly. If possible use an oven with a convection fan.

Scallop en Croutepaired with MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

MacRostie Winery4605 Westside Road

Healdsburg, CA 95448707-473-9303

macrostiewinery.com

Valette Healdsburg 344 Center St.,

Healdsburg, CA, 95448707-473-0946

valettehealdsburg.com