Cook the peas in boiling, slightly salted water until tender, then
drain and tip into a
blender, adding 1 tablespoon
curry paste and the creme fraiche or sour cream. Season to taste with salt and perhaps add more curry paste, depending on how strong it is.
Heat the oil and
butter in a
frying pan until foamy, and then fry the scallops for 2 minutes a side. If you are using big scallops then it is sometimes easier to cut them in half across.
When they are cooked, they will have just lost their raw look in the middle and be lusciously tender, while golden and almost caramelised on the outside.
Lift the
scallops onto two warmed plates and then
deglaze the hot pan by squeezing in the
lime juice. Stir to mix well and pick up every scrap of flavour, and then pour over the scallops on each plate.
Dish up the pea puree alongside the scallops, and sprinkle with the chopped
cilantro or Thai basil. Serve with another wedge of lime if you feel like it.
Make Ahead Notes: The pea puree can be made 2 to 3 hours ahead. Drain
peas and immediately rinse with plenty of cold water. Puree when cold with 1 tablespoon of the curry paste and creme fraiche or sour cream. Put in a bowl, cover and leave in a cool place or refrigerator. Reheat gently in a
saucepan, taste and adjust seasoning before serving. If using sour cream, make sure the puree doesn't boil, otherwise it will turn grainy.
Pasta with Tomato and Peas
