Bow Tie Pasta With Blackened Scallops

Grrrrrgh!
Course : Seafoods
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 4
 

Ingredients:

-----for the pepper sauce-----
2 medium roasted red bell peppers
1/3 cup chopped shallot -- (2 large)
1 clove garlic peeled and chop
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
3/4 cup seafood stock
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil -- or 1 tablespoon dried basil
-----for the cilantro pesto-----
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
2 cloves garlic -- peeled
1 1/2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup seafood stock
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
8 ounces dried bow tie pasta
16 large sea scallops about 1 pound
4 tablespoons blackening seasoning
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 medium lemon
 

Preparation:

Note: Seafood Stock can be made from fish-flavored bouillon cubes, available in most supermarkets. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. In the meantime, make the pepper sauce. Put the roasted peppers, shallots, garlic and vinegar in a blender and puree until smooth. Add 1/2 cup of the seafood stock and the basil and mix until blended. Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan, cover, and warm over the lowest heat setting. For the cilantro pesto, put the walnuts, garlic and cilantro in the bowl of a food processor. Turn the machine on and add 1 tablespoon of the seafood stock through the feed tube. Drizzle in the lemon juice to form a paste. Transfer the contents of the food processor to a small mixing bowl and whisk in another 3 tablespoons of the stock. When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta to the pot. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, to desired tenderness. Drain. Dust the scallops with the blackening seasoning, paprika and thyme. Heat a heavy frying pan for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat. Spray the pan with vegetable oil. Add the prepared scallops and sear them for 2 minutes on each side. Reduce the heat to low and squeeze the lemon over the scallops. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, until the scallops are firm. Return the drained pasta to the pot. Over low heat stir in the cilantro pesto. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls. Place 4 scallops on top of each and pour the pepper sauce over the scallops.