Scallops, Orzo and Peas in a Saffron-Tomato Sauce

Recipe: Scallops, Orzo and Peas in a Saffron-Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup seafood, fish or clamstock
1/2 teaspoon saffron*
1 tomato, diced (1 cup)
1 cup dry orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1 cup frozen peas
1 tablespoon grape seed oil
1 pound sea scallops
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter, optional
Handful of torn fresh basil, optional
Pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

Whisk tomato paste and cornstarch into seafood stock and combine. Add saffron and diced tomato to seafood stock mixture. Let sit at room temperature as you assemble meal.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instruction s and in the last minute of cooking time, add peas to boiling water. Drain and reserve.
While pasta is cooking, heat oil to high in a large sautÃ© pan. Sear scallops 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Do not wiggle pan or fiddle with scallops as they cook or they will lose their crust. Remove scallops from pan, reserve, then deglaze pan, whisking continuously, with wine. Reduce heat and stir in reserved tomato-stock mixture. Let simmer 4-5 minutes or until slightly reduced and cornstarch flavor is gone. Stir in butter, if using, and basil. Season to taste with kosher salt and red pepper flakes. Return scallops to pan and serve with orzo and peas.

*Visiting the Saffron Market in Istanbul was a wonderful experience. But those treasures are depleted, and Trader Joe's and our local Mediterranean Market on Ellsworth have the best saffron prices (for decent saffron) I've found.